What Does “Lost” Mean?
Before I turned to Jesus, I did a lot of selfish things, even wicked things, some harmful to others. Yet the whole time I was precious, valuable and loved by God. I didn’t know who I was. I did not know God or anything at all about abundant life. I was lost. I was blind. So rather than condemn me, torment me, or punish me, God simply opened my eyes. He gave me an eyesight that would begin to heal my heart. God is not about retribution, He is about redemption and restoration.
Jesus came to seek and save what was lost.
Mankind had lost its way, lost its vision, its identity, and its purpose of love. Jesus brings us home. We see this in the three parables of Luke chapter 15.
The Pharisees had complained about His acceptance and friendship with notorious sinners. The parables were His explanation to them of why He did what He did. They also explained something about God’s heart that the Pharisees were ignorant of. He related how God has an attraction to the weak and sinful, much like a shepherd puts special attention on a sheep that is lost.
He revealed how God is very intentional about restoring the lost, just like the woman who would not stop looking until she found her lost coin (which never diminished in value, even though it was lost).
He declared the passion of a Father who runs to us, though we are a far way off and then celebrates that we accept our rightful place as His child. God so loved the world. He never stopped loving us, even when we had “left home”. His plan was always to bring us back. That’s why the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. We would not be forever lost.
In Christ we find the truth about ourselves, about our Father and about our existence. Our identity is restored and our union with God is enjoyed. I have a Father, a Shepherd, One who truly cares. And it’s great to be home. And to give a quote, “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”
I can see that it is imperative that we believe in the absolute goodness of God’s heart. He’s not against any of us. He has no enemies. Only love for the lost. And that’s the good news. That’s why Jesus came: not to condemn anyone but for the recovery of sight for the blind. Thank you Jesus for a wonderful redemption.