30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 15 1-7 To seek and to save the lost - part I The lost sheep 05 Under the Chief Shepherd
📖 Luke 15:1-7
27Jan2020 - *Under the Chief Shepherd* - _Luke 15:1-3_ - Bible reading: _Ezekiel 34:16-22_
_Luke 15:1-3 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:_
We have titled the 15th chapter of Luke as *To seek and to save the lost*. This is the heart of God and this is how our heart needs to be too. We must understand the heart of God as we go into the study of this chapter.
The Lord was deeply concerned for the Pharisees and the Scribes for they were not in tune with the heart of God, which is to seek and the save the lost. Not only is God concerned and angry with the religious leaders that they were not in tune with the heart of God but the Lord is also concerned and angry with the, ‘fat sheep’.
_Ezekiel 34:16-22 “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?_
God’s heart is for those who are driven away, the broken and those who are sick. We too need to have the same heart. If today, we are not having the passion and compassion for the lost, let us go to God and ask Him to fill our hearts with His love for the lost.
There will be severe judgement for those, who are not concerned for the lost. Why is this so? The fat sheep, on whom the Lord is angry, are those who think only of themselves and their own wellbeing. The matters of the heart of God, was of secondary importance. We have tasted the goodness of God but have not set the right example to people around us.
_(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._
Often, we as disciples of Jesus, have been a hindrance to others and have not led people to the clear and refreshing waters of an intimate relationship with God. People see us and what they see in us are, dual standards. We have ‘mouthed’ the words of God but our life spoke a contrary message.
We are here to always reach out to people around us. _Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. I Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
Our Lord is in the process of creating one flock and He being the one shepherd. _John 10:15-16 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd._
*Thought to ponder*
```Lord teach me and fill me with your love for people around me.```