Dear Christian friends:

What should make a Christian very happy? Most happy? Seeking and finding someone who is lost in sin and leading him to faith in Jesus. That should give us much, chief joy.

If that is true, why do we fail? How often do you go and seek a lost person and try and lead him to faith in Jesus?

We need our lesson today. In it again Jesus shows us the:


Often we are not happy about that. The Pharisees and Jewish teachers were not. "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1-2)

They were self-righteous and didn't think that they also were sinners. They can't be happy or eager about saving lost souls and leading them to Christ.

How about us? Are you self-righteous? Are you happy and eager to find a lost soul and lead them to Christ? How many lost deaf have you found and lead to Christ? If you don't care to do this work, you are not a Christian. You are like the Pharisees and Bible scholars.

Jesus was very happy to find a lost soul. Jesus talks about the joy in finding one lost sheep. (Luke 15:6) And the joy in finding one lost coin. (Luke 15:9) And the joy of the lost son. (Luke 15:20)

Jesus gave His life for all of us lost ones. "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Are you happy to seek the lost? Jesus is. He did for their soul and for your soul. He wants you to go and tell them. Do you really believe in Jesus? You will be glad and eager to seek the lost if you believe that you are one of them and that He has found you.

"What do you get for all the sacrifices you make?" someone asked a missionary. He reached into his pocket and got a letter that a student in India had written to him. It said, "Except for you, I would not have known Christ our Savior. Every morning as I kneel down before God I think of you and pray." That, "said the missionary is what I get out of it."

All those who helped build a new church, carpenters, truck drivers, plumbers, electricians were invited to the dedication of the church. Each worker could show with pride and a smile what they did.

Amen.