Seeking the Lost

Scripture

Ezekiel 34 NKJV

1 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. 6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.” 7 ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 “As I live,” says the Lord God, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”—9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord! 10 Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.” 11 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord God. 16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment.” 17 ‘And as for you, O My flock, thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats. 18 Is it too little for you to have eaten up the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture—and to have drunk of the clear waters, that you must foul the residue with your feet? 19 And as for My flock, they eat what you have trampled with your feet, and they drink what you have fouled with your feet.” 20 ‘Therefore thus says the Lord God to them: “Behold, I Myself will judge between the fat and the lean sheep. 21 Because you have pushed with side and shoulder, butted all the weak ones with your horns, and scattered them abroad, 22 therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no longer be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken. 25 “I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. 27 Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 28 And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid. 29 I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. 30 Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God.’ ” 31 “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God.

Prayer

In you, O Lord, have we taken refuge. Never let us be ashamed.

You have given us many good things. You have filled our pantries, you have clothed us like royalty, you have given us freedom to worship, you have given us security and safety and prosperity.

Each breath we take is a witness to your goodness to us, for it comes from you.

And yet we are left longing for you. All the things on this earth fade and die. Everything leaves us hungry and thirsty for more.

We long for you – take our hand in yours. Guide us by your counsel. Bring us home safely, as you have promised.

And as we travel with you through this valley of tears, uphold us by your power. Grant that we might grow in patience, in peace, in love, in joy. Unite our hearts to our Lord Jesus so that we might truly know from day to day that without you, we can do nothing.

Give us today all that we need, and give us hope for tomorrow, that you will provide then as well. And cause us to rest in you and your promise that you will never leave us nor forsake us.

Grant healing to Bud and Hugo. Bring the Chans back home safely. Give healing to all of those suffering with illnesses and preserve us.

For all who are waiting for doctors, we pray that you will speed the appointments, the referrals, the tests – and give answers.

Bring back those who are wandering. Deliver those caught in various snares. Give peace to the restless heart.

When our hearts wander after idols, search them out and bring us back to you.

When we become fretful and worried, speak peace to us.

When we are overtaken with sin, do not forsake us, but draw us back with true repentance.

Give wisdom and justice to those who have the rule over us. Give us a spirit of submission and honor to them, as you have commanded us, that we might continue to live quietly and peaceably.

Protect us from cruel men with vicious tongues who speak lies and provoke strife. Speak peace to our hearts and give us calm in the storm.

Whatever you call us to do, give us steady hearts, prepared for the battle ahead.

And Father, we beg you for rain in due season. We are in trouble and we have fled to you for refuge. Hear us, we pray.

Deliver us from the snares of the evil one. Deliver us from slander and gossip and rumors and those who wish to tear down and destroy.

Build your church here in Yuba City. Cause our light to continue to shine. Bring in your sheep. Provide for our needs. Forgive our sins. Cover us with the blood of the lamb.

And above all, father, grant that we might know the riches of your love for us. Give us steadfast hearts, resting on your strength and your might, that we might know more each day about your power of new life, your power to raise the dead, your power to give us above all that we ask or think.

Bless the preaching of your word today. Tear down false shepherds who seek to feed themselves, and raise up faithful shepherds in their place.

And guide my lips. Give me the right words to say. Bless the reading and the preaching of your word this morning and give us the words of eternal life,

And let’s pray together:

Psalm 19:14 NKJV

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Text

Luke 15:1–10 NKJV

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Sermon

One of the most insidious corruptions of the gospel has to do with the application of law.

When we see corruption, crime, oppression, lawlessness of every kind, we all have this deep desire in our hearts for justice. Is there anyone that will get these sinners under control?

This is what Israel looked for in the coming of Messiah.

This is what they thought they had in David, the great king, after God’s own heart.

Oh that someone would come along and restore the greatness of Israel, God’s own people. We have too many sinners. Too many traitors to Rome!

And the only way that they knew how to fix society is by working towards strong leadership, righteous and just rulers, who would take sin seriously.

All of this, by itself, is good. It is what makes it insidious. Sneaky. It creeps up on you and all of the sudden, your longing for a just society has quickly been twisted into oppression that was far worse than anything before.

This is why the scripture so carefully distinguishes between law and gospel. The law is necessary, for people are lawless.

The state needs to enforce laws about murder, robbery, treachery, and the like - in order to preserve society. God has given them the sword and will hold them accountable for how they use it.

But that isn’t the good news. And it isn’t the kingdom of God.

It will never bring about the kingdom that we all long for.

The reason that strong leadership will never bring about a perfect society is that all human beings are sinners. All humans have corruption at their heart. And the more power that is given to humans, the more corrupt they will act.

Israel, for example, had as close to perfect laws as any nation has ever had.

Deuteronomy 4:7–8 NKJV

7 “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? 8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day?

To govern his people, God gave them priests and kings - priests to teach the law and make intercession; kings to enforce the laws, protect the good from the evil, and establish safety.

And he gave prophets to continually call the priests and the kings back to repentance.

And what happened?

Ezekiel 34 happened. Those who were given every privilege and the appropriate power to protect the weak, gather together the wounded, drive away the wolves - they all used that power instead to make themselves fatter, richer and more secure - even as those in their care were scattered, dying, broken, angry, hurt.

Even the great David, called and anointed by God himself, used his power to take, abuse, murder - and batter the sheep under his care. He was the shepherd of Israel, but he made himself fat, trampled the good pasture, destroyed the sheep.

And all his descendents followed in his path.

David recognized that in himself. He repented and he cried out for a better shepherd - Psalm 28:9

Psalm 28:9 NIV

9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Thus all of the prophets, from beginning to end, pointed to a better shepherd, a more faithful and a righteous David - one who would carry the sheep, bind up the wounds, protect them, lead them to green pastures and look for them when they went astray.

Notice how the Lord promises that he will heal and save the sheep from the hurt caused by the wicked shepherds! The wicked shepherds have caused tremendous damage, driven away the sheep from the fold, wounded them - and then mocked them for being wounded.

But the good shepherd is described as one who will rescue his sheep, feed them, and heal them.

The whole point is this: the highest summit of political and religious strength never brought about the kingdom of God. And it never will. This is why Israel’s failure is so carefully documented - that we might know the difference between every kingdom of man and the kingdom of God.

What the world needs is NOT another king with the corruption of Adam. What the world needs is to be recreated and redeemed.

This is the theme of the book of Luke.

Just as the spirit of God moved across the face of the waters and brought order in the first creation, so the same spirit moves upon Mary and brings about the mediator of the new creation - the church.

Jesus is baptized and the Spirit descends upon him. And he takes the baptism of the fire of judgment upon himself so that the baptism of the spirit might be poured out on his church.

First, to the lost sheep of Israel. Then to Samaria. Then to the world.

Publicans

The Jews had been fighting amongst themselves for centuries. As Rome increased in power and influence, one of the Jewish political parties asked them to intervene and bring peace.

But the problem with Romans is when you invited them in, they came in - set up house, rearranged the furniture, took what they wanted and never left.

Now there is the palace of Pilate towering over the temple. Roman architecture has taken over the city. Soldiers are on every corner. Crucifixions are happening outside the city.

The city of God, the church of God, the temple of God, has been taken over by the world! Gentiles are trampling the Holy City - this would be unbearable to a Jew, to have God’s land under so much of a curse.

And worse - the Romans had a system of tax collection. They would sell territories as franchises. The person who owned the franchise was required to collect the Roman taxes - which would pay for the soldiers and the circuses and the crucifixions and the Caesars and the buildings and the pagan art.

As an added insult, the franchisee could legally collect whatever he wanted to collect. Most franchise owners made themselves rich off of their neighbors and former friends.

A Tax collector, a publican, was the worst form of human life, to a Jew. He was a traitor, a thief, a con-man, a gangster - the worst of the worst. He made himself rich by fawning up to Rome.

In our day, it would be the owner of the abortion clinic, the corrupt congressman from the other political party, the ruthless business man who owns the drug and gambling franchises - even being seen with them would have compromised any righteous man.

Sinners

A sinner was one who missed the mark. A sinner was a “not righteous one”. The whole of Israel was divided into “the righteous” and “the sinners”

The sinners were ones who never went to Synagogue. They drank too much. They cussed at work. They had tattoos and piercings and didn’t give religion any thought at all.

They were the outcasts from proper society, the broken ones. The prostitutes, the disabled, the addicted, the drunkard.

You didn’t know where they had been, so even touching them would have made you defiled. To be seen in their company would be the equivalent of being seen in the red light district after midnight. No self-respecting shepherd, pastor, rabbi, would be seen anywhere near.

But Jesus is seen eating and drinking with them. He welcomed them in his company, spoke with them, touched them - and even accepted invitations to eat in their houses.

There is something here that astounds me:

drew near

The tax collectors and sinners “drew near to him.”

Would the same class of people want to be in our company? They certainly didn’t seek out the company of the Pharisees or the Sadducees.

Even in the nicest moments, a pharisee would be very quick to point out to a sinner and a tax collector that they were not up to par, not allowed at the table, not acceptable - and if you stood around you would hear everything that was wrong with you.

Who would want to seek that out? I fleshed this out a bit in the Bible Study this past week, so I would invite you there for more information.

But Jesus - the true, eternal, infinitely holy and righteous God, who became man without sin, pure, holy, light -

The only one who ever lived that had the right to look at a sinner and say, Ewwww....

Carried himself in such a way that the worst of the sinners flocked to him, invited him to dinner, and listened to what he had to say.

And yes, that could have only happened by the power of the Holy Spirit - but the whole point of Luke and Acts is to teach that the same spirit that Jesus was baptized with was poured out on the church.

The tax collectors and the sinners, the slaves and the outcasts, also flocked to the apostles and leaders of the early church.

Can we say the same? Do we walk in the same spirit that was upon Jesus?

Examine your hearts on this - who are the “others” that know that they aren’t welcomed in your presence?

And ask yourself this - why did these publicans and sinners flock to Jesus?

The lost sheep

Because Jesus didn’t view them as scum, traitors, unworthy of his time and deserving only to be cast out and driven away.

He viewed them and treated them as lost sheep - HIS lost sheep, scattered and running, and scared and wounded and desperately just wanting to come home but they didn’t know how anymore.

So he tells the false shepherds a parable.

There are several points in the parable:

First, that Jesus is identifying with the shepherd of Ezekiel 34 - and the Jews new it. They couldn’t have missed it.

Second, that these publicans and sinners, so despised by the Pharisees and scribes, should have been protected, gathered, and fed by the shepherds, instead of driven away. These were the ones that were scattered, driven away and left unprotected by the very ones who should have been shepherding them.

So also, I fear that we have spent too much time driving the lost sheep away, threatening them, exiling them - when they should have been carried home. We who bear Jesus’ name ought to bear his character

So what did Jesus, David’s greater son, do when his sheep were scattered and lost?

So the Lord became flesh -

Ezekiel 34:23–24 NKJV

23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.

Instead of beating the sheep, breaking their legs, driving them away, terrifying them - he will lift them on his shoulders and carry them home.

And not one of them will be lost.

The lost coin

He tells us why in the next parable. Why will he go through so much pain and sorrow to bring one sheep back?

For two reasons.

They are his. They belong to him. They are his property.

And he considers them very, very valuable.

The Jews would have understood that parable as well. God called his people

Deuteronomy 7:6 NKJV

6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

Psalm 135:4 NKJV

4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.

And the good Jew would say, MMmmmm. Yes indeed. Amen.

Of course, we all understand that we are talking about those who keep the law - not sinners or publicans, right...

Nope. Jesus says. Them too. I came to find the lost sheep and the lost coin because they are mine and because they were lost and because it is time for them to come home.

But what about us? What does this have to do with us, who are NOT of the house of Israel.

1 Peter 2:9–10 NKJV

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

This is the beauty of Luke and Acts. The spirit that came on Christ also comes on the whole church - the Jew first, then the Gentile.

All who believe the promise. All who cry out for Jesus to rescue them. Not one of his sheep will be lost. All of them will be found.

And this is the heart of freedom, isn’t it? Sometimes we are so afraid of stepping outside the boundaries that we forget that we put those boundaries there ourselves and have put ourselves under a bondage that was never intended by the Father.

Because we are so terrified that we might get lost and never find our way back home again. We are so afraid of catching someone else-s defilement that we forget that we are ALL lost sheep, we have ALL gone astray - but the Lord laid on the shepherd the iniquity of all of us.

This is why the good and righteous Jews would have nothing to do with publicans and sinners. They were afraid that their lostness might be catching. What would people say? God will never set us free from the Romans if we keep condoning these people. People will say that we are compromising, easy on sin - and if we eat with these people, everyone will spread rumors and pretty soon I won’t have the best seat at the feast anymore, or even be invited to the feast....

And then I’ll be lost and won’t have any idea how to come home.

Jesus finds his sheep and brings them home.

He is building his kingdom, just as he said he would. He will come and separate wheat from the chaff, and his reign in the new creation will burst through and become visible, and nothing unclean will enter the New Jerusalem, because he will cleanse his people and his new creation.

But today what he is doing is finding all of his lost sheep. He can at any moment destroy the wicked with the breath of his mouth.

He can at any moment destroy all those who exalt themselves against the Lord.

And he doesn’t need our help when that time comes.

But today, what he is doing is gathering his sheep. He doesn’t need our help to do that, either.

But he has granted us the wonderful and amazing privilege belonging only to his own special treasure - to be filled with His spirit and take part in his glorious work of gathering the lost sheep.

And we do it as he did it. Not by enforcing laws and telling people what is wrong with them. But looking to the image-bearer beneath, and understanding what the real issue is. It isn’t that they were “tax collectors” and “sinners”, primarily. It was that they were lost sheep and didn’t know how to come home.

That’s what they needed. To come home.

That is how the kingdom is built. That is how the light of the world is seen in us.

So let’s move without fear and shine that light. He brought us home. He will gather all of his sheep, and not one will be left behind.

There is joy in all of heaven every time one sinner turns around and comes home. Jesus came to bring us home.

And if we go astray, will he not bring US back home as well?

Are we not completely safe in his hands?