Day #9 - Jesus’ Method: being intentional

Day 9

Jesus’ Method: being intentional

Read: Luke 15

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Today’s reading looks at a trilogy of Jesus’ parables - lost sheep, coin, and son.  For understanding parables context is crucial. Jesus tells them in response to criticism over who he was spending his time with (15:2). Each story illustrates the same point; (1) something of value is lost, (2) a search is mounted, and (3) there’s huge rejoicing when “the lost is found.”

Let’s focus our attention on the mid-point; “the search.” The woman intentionally looks for the coin; she did not wait to see if it would happen to turn up.   The shepherd intentionally leaves the other sheep to go and look for the missing one.   The father is waiting for the son, actively watching for signs of his return.  Jesus came to “seek the lost.”  Notice how all the seeking activity is intentional.  Each “seeker” is intentionally motivated because “the lost” is of great value to the “finders.” Value determines method – with Jesus the value of people to his and his Father’s heart determines his methods; with Jesus pursuing and connecting with people is intentional.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, swept along by demands from all directions.  Should one of our children or friends get “off track and lost”, without a doubt we’d drop everything to look for them. When people and things are important to us we take intentional action. Lost people matter to Jesus, so lost people should matter to us.

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Lost people are the “passion of the seeking Father”

Consider (respond)

• How can I build intentional friendships with those who don’t yet have a friendship with Jesus?