3/4/07 - Lent 2 - Luke 13:31-35

THE LORD LONGS FOR THE LOST
- Even in the midst of danger
- Today and tomorrow and the next day

It never ceases to amaze me how passionately the Lord longs for the lost. He wants nothing more than to have every person on the face of this earth believe in him as their Savior. His sole desire is to see you - and everyone around you - in heaven. And so when a person dies an unbeliever, the Lord takes that personally! He knows it’s not his fault, but he loves and cares for and longs for the lost so much that it breaks his heart to see them lost for eternity.
The portion of Scripture in front of us today, Luke 13:31-35, displays this passionate longing for the lost while Jesus was on this earth. We see that he longed for the lost even in the face of death and every day of his life on this earth. But this is not only a text that gives us comfort because of God’s love for the world, it is also a text that gives us the example and the motivation to live our lives in the very same way.
A few chapters before our text begins, Luke records for us that, “Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem as the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven.” (9:51) The Lord knew what was about to happen. And so he started to travel to the capital city. The place where he had established his tabernacle for centuries in Old Testament times. The place where many lost souls lived, for whom he so desperately longed. And so he went there to heal the sick, drive out demons, and preach and teach to the people. But while he was going about spreading the gospel, Luke says that, “Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.’” Now, notice: it wasn’t the disciples that came to Jesus and warned him about the danger. And it wasn’t any of his other followers that were concerned about their teacher’s welfare. It was the Pharisees. The sect of religious zealots whom Jesus had earlier called hypocrites and foolish people and selfish, arrogant men. So this warning from the Pharisees wasn’t out of concern. This so-called “warning” was a scare tactic. The Pharisees didn’t want Jesus around. And because they couldn’t find a way to arrest him without making the people mad, they tried to scare Jesus out of town: Herod is going to kill you! You better get out while you can!
But you have to remember: that was a legitimate threat. Even though the Pharisees were simply trying to get Jesus to leave, they weren’t just blowing smoke about Herod and his possible actions. Herod, the ruler of the area at the time, had a track record. A while back he had John the Baptist imprisoned because John told Herod he was a sinner for taking his brother’s wife. And if you remember the story: Herod ended up having John the Baptist’s head placed on a platter to please his step-daughter. Everyone knew that Herod would not hesitate to kill off or at least imprison anyone he wanted. Especially someone who might boldly preach law and gospel to any and everyone. So Jesus certainly was in danger for preaching and teaching the truth. And Jesus knew it.
But Jesus didn’t back down either. Rather than laying low and avoiding any unnecessary controversy, his longing for the lost took precedence. He unflinchingly told the Pharisees to go back to Herod and let him know that he wouldn’t stop anything he was doing. He would continue to drive out demons, he would continue to heal the sick, he would continue to do everything he could to find the lost he came to save. And he would do it all knowing that he would be murdered because of it. “Surely no prophet can die outside of Jerusalem!” Jesus told them a little sarcastically. Just like the prophets sent to Jerusalem for centuries before him, Jesus’ future would include beating, flogging, hatred, and death. This was what was in store for Jesus if he kept doing what he was doing. But he didn’t care. He didn’t care for his own life. Rather, he longed for the lives of the lost - and he would ultimately face crucifixion because of it.
This past week, the more I read what Jesus did in these verses, the more I became embarrassed about my own actions for those around me. The more I heard the words Jesus said for the sake of the gospel, the more I was ashamed about my words for things much less important. The more I began to understand Jesus’ passionate longing for the salvation of all people, the more I became disgusted with my own attitude and lack of motivation to reach out to those same people Jesus died to save. Who here can claim to have the amount of zeal Jesus displayed for the lost? Who can claim to have even half of that? What a pity, what a shame it is when we as Christians fail to show concern for the lost souls dying around us - not only for those we know, but for those we have yet to even meet.
The U.S. Census Bureau records that in 2005 Montrose County had over 37,000 residents. And you can be sure it’s gone up since then. How much have you really shown your concern for those 37,000 people? How persistently have we as a congregation reached out to those who are lost in this area? But why stop there? This congregation is made up of many members outside of Montrose County. Why not Gunnison County? Why not Delta County? Why not Ouray County? You are members here for a reason. Why not someone else? Why not your next door neighbor? Why not your friend? Why not your co-worker? Do you know what the total number of residents is for those four counties that are represented by our membership? About 85,000 people. 85,000 people! That’s the target area for Living Word Lutheran Church! Not all of them are lost souls - but many of them are. Many of them do not go to church at all. Many of them are members of congregations but never attend. And many of them belong to churches that do not preach the pure gospel. We have work to do! As individual Christians and as a congregation. And so what a shame it is when our actions do not reflect that all-important task. And what an even greater sin it is when our hearts do not even care for those people as much as the Lord longs for those lost souls.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” the Lord sighs. Just as he longed for the people of Jerusalem, the Lord longs to gather together every single one of these 85,000 people here in heaven. Even those who don’t want to listen to him. Even those who hate his name. Even those who have rejected him since childhood. Even you. Jesus wants to see you in heaven more than anything. That’s why he didn’t let himself become intimidated by the Pharisees. That’s why he boldly continued to preach in Herod’s territory. That’s why he didn’t back down from the impending cross. He wanted to go through with it so that he could claim that pain and suffering, that death and torment, that resurrection and victory for you. He wanted to give you forgiveness so that he could give you heaven. And it is yours. And it is mine. Despite our failings as Christians. Despite our lack of love and zeal and actions. Thank the Lord that he longs for you. Thank the Lord that he still does.
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1) Paul encourages us here, in the light of the gospel, to imitate Christ. To seek out and to love and to long for the ones he longs for. And that means we cannot hesitate. We cannot put it off for a later date. We must listen to the words Jesus sent back to Herod with the Pharisees, “I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day.” Jesus’ plan was to seek and to save the lost as soon as possible, as often as possible, and as long as possible. And if we are to imitate our Lord and Savior - shouldn’t we be doing the same?
Today: Make it your goal to seek out a lost soul today. If you were at the Do-It-Yourself Evangelism course we had last week, you’ll remember that you were supposed to pick one person in your life to talk to. Do it again. Everyone in here, pick one person in your life that is a lost soul and determine to talk about what’s really important in your very next conversation. And if possible, do it today. You never know when their time of grace will end.
Tomorrow: Plan on seeking out a lost soul tomorrow. It is important enough to plan ahead. It is serious enough to think through who you will approach and how. And it is urgent enough to do it soon.
The next day: Expect to be seeking lost souls the next day and the next and the next day. Know that your work will never end. You will never retire from this job because you will never stop being a Christian. There will always be more lost souls to spread the Word to and there will always be lost souls to spread the Word to again and again. Be patient. Be persistent. Be something to those who are lost because they need you and they need what you know - without even being aware of it.
Please take these words of the Lord and integrate them into your life - and into the life of our congregation. Easter is coming up soon. You’ll have an opportunity to stuff door hangers. You’ll have an opportunity to hang them. You’ll have any opportunity to help with Easter for Kids. You’ll have an opportunity to hang up flyers. You’ll have an opportunity to bring lost souls to the greatest service of the Christian Church Year. And after Easter there will be more opportunities for different things in different ways. And you don’t have to wait for me to ask. Let me know you want to help Living Word spread the Living Word - and I’m sure I’ll be able to find something for you to help carry out that mission to the lost…
Because we always have to remember: the Lord longs for the lost. Comforting words for us to know that we are included and motivating words for us to know what we need to do. Let us resolve to do this as lost souls who have been found. As people adopted as his children. As those who have been called to faith and given the gift of forgiveness. We must share this good news with everyone of these 85,000 people and beyond. And we must do this today and tomorrow and the next day. Until that day when the Lord comes back. Until that day when the Lord takes you from this earth. Until that day when he rejoices in the victory of taking you home forever.
Amen.

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father - to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” - Rev. 1:5b-6