Lesson 8 for May 23, 2015

“Fo

r th

e S

on

of

Man

has

co

me

to

se

ek

and

to

sa

ve t

hat

wh

ich

was

lost

.”(L

uke

19

:10

)

TO SEEK

The lost sheep

The lost coin

The lost son

TO SAVE

Missed opportunities

The rich man and Lazarus

Taken opportunities

Bartimaeus

Zacchaeus

“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?” (Luke 15:4)

The sheep may be aware that she is lost, but she is unable to save herself.

Who does the sheep represent?

That sheep represents those who understand that they are far away from God, but don’t know how to find Him.

They need the Shepherd to come to their rescue and to show them the way of Salvation.

We are instruments in the hands of God to find people and to bring them to Jesus’ embrace.

“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?” (Luke 15:8)

The woman knows she lost a coin. Nevertheless, the coin doesn’t know she’s lost.

Who does that coin represent?

That coin represents those who are lost because of their sins but aren’t aware of that. They are far away from God, but they don’t know.

Jesus cares even for those who remain indifferent to His love.

He wants us to diligently seek those people. They need to be taught about their need, so they can become aware of their situation and come to Salvation.

THE FLIGHT (v. 11-12)

He didn’t understand the loving protection of the Law of God (including its limits and restrictions). Therefore, he decided to live a life of “freedom” without restrictions and far from God’s love.

THE DISAPPOINTMENT (v. 13-16)

He lived a profligate live. He experienced the illusion of sin’s pleasures… until he harvested the bitter fruits of it.

THE REFLECTION (v. 17)

He realized God had everything, but he had nothing. The Holy Spirit doesn’t reproach us in those low moments, but makes us reflect on the decisions we made. He invites us to come back to the arms of the loving God.

THE RETURN (v. 18-20)

He trusted “his” father’s love and forgiveness.

He confessed his sin.

He accepted his unworthiness (sincere repentance).

He proclaimed his desire to live with God again and he did so.

The parable of the “prodigal” son in Luke 15:11-32 is the story of a father (God) and his lost sons. One of them ran away from the father. The other one lived with him but didn’t actually know him.

THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER THE OLDER SON

THE WAIT (v. 20-21)

The wait began when the son left. The father waiting for his son to come back is the clearest image of God’s character.

THE JOY (v. 22-24)

God and His angels celebrate every soul that comes back to Him. Every repentant person fills Heaven with joy.

BEING LOST WITHOUT KNOWING IT (v. 25-32)

Can you live with God but keep Him away from your heart at the same time?

Can you trust so much your own justice that you don’t accept God’s love and justice for you and for others?

Can you hate so much a sinner that you don’t want God to forgive him?

Can you come in God’s home? Can you humbly join the party for the repentant sinner? Come in, we are waiting for you.

THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER EL HIJO MAYOR

THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER THE OLDER SON

Receiving goods

Forgetting God

Being buried

Being condemned

Receiving evil

Trusting God

“Their works follow them.” (Rev. 14:13)

Being saved

“In the parable of the rich man and

Lazarus, Christ shows that in this life

men decide their eternal destiny.

During probationary time the grace of

God is offered to every soul. But if

men waste their opportunities in self-

pleasing, they cut themselves off from

everlasting life. No afterprobation

will be granted them. By their own

choice they have fixed an impassable

gulf between them and their God.”

E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 21, pg. 260)

A blind beggar stood by the entrance of Jericho. He begged to maintain himself. Nevertheless, his soul longed for spiritual maintenance. Only the Messiah—the Son of David—could give him that.

He didn’t let anyone get him to be quiet when he heard Jesus was passing by. He vehemently asked for an audience with his Savior.

“All who feel their need of

Christ as did blind Bartimeus,

and who will be as earnest and

determined as he was, will, like

him, receive the blessing which

they crave.”

E.G.W. (Sons and Daughters of God, April 29)

“And he cried out, saying, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (Luke 18:38)

“Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’” (Luke 19:8)

Both Zacchaeus’ and Bartimaeus’ story are examples of how Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.’” (Luke 19:9)

“Are you indeed an instructor in the ways of God?

If you are a converted teacher, you will be able to win,

not drive, to attract, not repulse, the souls for whom

Christ has died. You will guard and care for the sheep

and lambs of Christ’s fold. If they stray, you will not

leave them to perish, but will go forth to seek and to

save that which is lost. All heaven will be ready to aid

you in this good work. The angels will aid you in your

effort to find the key to the heart of the most

incorrigible and unruly. You will receive special grace

and strength through Christ, who is able to supply you

from His immeasurable fullness. You will then be

qualified to be a laborer together with God, one with

Christ in your effort to save the lost, and the result of

your labor of love will be seen not only in time, but

through all eternity.”

E.G.W. (Counsels on Sabbath School Work, cp. 6, pg. 175)