Together in Christ: 'Jesus' Love for Lost Sheep' — Luke 15:3-7

Jesus came because God loves the people in the world and wants all to be saved and none to be lost. ^[1] God has known each of us since we were conceived ^[2] and longs to have each of us - regardless of race, gender, social status, or any other characteristic ^[3] - to be re-born into His family by the Holy Spirit. ^[4]

To emotionally emphasize these longings in Jesus' heart, He told three parables - the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son ^[5] - about the joy of God in finding those who are lost. Our relationship verses today call us to partner with God in two ways:

1. If we have wandered away from God or have never been close to Him, He wants us to know He loves us and wants to find us and throw a party in our honor. No matter what we may have done, where we have done it, or how much time we wasted, we can come home to Him. He longs to welcome us home to a joyous party in our honor.
2. For those of us who already enjoy a good relationship with the Father and recognize His purposes and holiness in our lives, He wants us to find those who are lost. He is talking about both those who have never been saved and brought into his family ^[6] and those who have wandered away, given their hearts to worldliness, and need to come home to our loving Father. ^[7] God wants to throw a party for those who come home to Him, and our job is to hand-deliver His invitation! ^[8]

Today's verses should speak to all of us. If you are away from God, come home. There's a party waiting. If we know lost, lonely, discouraged, and alienated people, we must go and offer God's invitation for them to come home to a party in their honor. God loves to see people saved, his children close to Him, and parties to celebrate salvation, grace, and spiritual family. Isn't it time you accepted the invitation to the party in your honor with God?