Welcome Home - Luke 15
Where is home for you? Or, should I say, what is home for you? Most of the time when thinking about home we think about a physical place, but Jesus teaches us that he provides the real meaning of home in a different way.
Yesterday, in Luke 15, we looked at the difference between being lost and finding home. In particular, we looked at the three parables that Jesus taught found in Luke 15 and we discussed the 4 different types of lostness that we can all feel. I encourage you to watch the sermon to find out what those types of lostness are.
Jesus said that he came to earth to “seek and save the lost.” Mistakenly, we can think that is really all about someone else. However, the Bible says we have all “sinned” and have fallen short of the glory of God. Many people today scoff at the word “sin.” For many people, the concept of sin means the loss some freedom, or needing to play by some set of rules in life. The word “sin” has echoes that reverberate back to some old religious experience that was boring at best, and dangerous at worst. Yet, scripture is clear that everyone since Adam and Eve is born into a sinful world and that they themselves are also sinful.
So, when Jesus says he has come to seek and save the lost, he is talking about all of us. All of us are in need of God’s forgiveness.
This is actually good news, though! Why? Because God, like the shepherd, coin owner, and father in the stories of Luke 15: 1) God is pursuing you, 2) he values you, and 3) he is waiting for you to “come to your senses” and come home.
Home in Luke 15 is a spiritual reality. We will always feel somewhat nomadic, like exiles in a strange land, here on earth in this lifetime. It is because we are not made for this world. God has redeemed us so that we can have a relationship with him and live into a new reality — a kingdom reality!
Are you feeling lost these days? Has your search for identity, belonging, and success left you feeling more lost than before? If so, know that Jesus came for you. He died on the cross for you. Why? Because he loves you and desires a relationship with you. This is the meaning of home, and it is a reality that can be yours today.
I’d love to talk about this with you. Reach out anytime!
Branden