Today’s blog is a reprint of an article written by my friend, Alan Martin. The article appeared in the Edmond church bulletin the last week of March 2009.
There’s quite a sobering thought by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his chapter on “The Great Divide”.Here’s the thought: “The path of discipleship is narrow, and it is fatally easy to miss one’s way and stray from the path, even after years of discipleship. And it is hard to find.”
This made me think of our mission emphasis at Edmond, and how excited we are to reach the lost. But what about those “disciples who once knew the way but lost it?” Should they not be a part of our mission? One of the most preached on parables is that of the “lost sheep”. The context of Luke 15 is that of making concerted effort to regain (a sheep), retrieve (a coin), restore (a son), and renew (the seekers) and the importance of JUST FINDING ONE STRAY sheep, coin, or son! Jesus tells three parables about that same theme! In other words, “I really want people to get it!”
Question: Am I getting it? Are you? Let’s think of just one person who once loved, served, and sat with you but is no longer with us! Will you please pray for him/her and then give us his/her name? Listen to the words of Jesus: I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7 NIV)