Friday: Further Study
Further Study: By the lost sheep Christ represents not only the individual sinner but the one world that has apostatized and has been ruined by sin.
-Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 190.
On the value of one soul: The value of a soul, who can estimate? Would you know its worth, go to Gethsemane, and there watch with Christ through those hours of anguish, when He sweat as it were great drops of blood.
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
Look upon the Saviour uplifted on the cross. . . . At the foot of the cross, remembering that for one sinner Christ would have laid down His life, you may estimate the value of a soul.
–Christ’s Object Lessons, page 196.
Discussion Questions:
- While all religions portray the human being in search for God, Christianity presents God as the seeker: Adam, where are you (Gen. 3:9)? Cain, where is your brother (Gen. 4:9)? Elijah, what are you doing here (1 Kings 19:9)? Zacchaeus, come down (Luke 19:5). What has been your own experience with God seeking you out?
- Look again at the final question at the end of Tuesday’s lesson. What was the fatal mistake that the older son made? What spiritual defects were revealed in his attitude? Why is it easier to have that same attitude than we might think? See also Matthew 20:1-16.
- In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus said that even if someone were to come back from the dead, there would be those who would not believe. In what ways did this parable foretell the reaction of some to the resurrection of Jesus, in which some still didn’t believe despite the powerful evidence for His resurrection?
- One of the most impressive aspects of Jesus’ saving ministry is the equality with which He treated all people, such as the blind beggar and Zacchaeus or Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. The Cross, more than anything else, shows the equality of all people before God. How should this crucial truth impact how we treat others, even those whom-because of politics, culture, ethnicity, whatever-we might have previously held ill feelings toward? Why is that attitude so anti-Jesus?
- Compare the story of the prodigal son with the story of the rich man and Lazarus. How do the two balance each other out?
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The story of Zacchaeus addresses an issue widespread among Christians, the notion that justification by faith allows sinners to do as they please, since they cannot earn anything by works. The Savior offered Zacchaeus salvation but it would be of little or no value if he did not acknowledge his responsibility (Luke 19:8). Zacchaeus' action was a sign of surrender.
Jesus offered the rich young ruler the same salvation in response to his query (Luke 18:18). Sadly the young man had to leave without it (Mark 10:22), for he was not prepared to fulfil his responsibility (Mark 10:21). By his response he indicated there is nothing wrong with riches, and determined no one, not even the Savior has authority to tell him what to do with his money. He showed up for salvation expecting it on his terms. The Redeemer made it clear who sets the terms.
Salvation is freely offered to all. Only those who are prepared to accept the conditions may benefit from it. Only those who are willing to submit to the Lord are eventually saved. The rest will not fit in Heaven, irrespective of the claims made on the cross here.
We say God can save only those who are “willing” or “accepts Him”. I don’t think that God’s mighty salvation plan, which called for the amazing sacrifice of His Son, is subordinate to the “will” and “acceptation” of man who is dead in God’s sight? Spiritual things are foolishness to the natural man.“...who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”.(John 1:13)
God boasts throughout the bible about His might, His power to deliver and save and He gave exhibit A with “Israel according to the flesh”. He had promised Abraham that He would deliver his “seed” from Egyptian slavery. He told Pharaoh “Israel is My son, My firstborn....Let my son go that he may serve me”.(Exo.4:21,22) This is the son according to the flesh. God said He would have destroyed Israel in Egypt but because he “loved their fathers” and kept His promise to them; and “I acted for the sake of My name”(Ezk 20:9). This was not subjected to Israel’s willingness or acceptance. God delivered His “son”.
God made a promise to His Son that “He will see His seed if He would render Himself as a sin offering”.(Isa 53:10) There is “the children of promise”, GOD’S children, Christ’s brethren, the seed of Abraham, the elect who alone God saves.
“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings... Behold I and the children whom God has given Me. Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery..... For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but he gives help to the SEED OF ABRAHAM.(Heb 2:10-16).
Who is the SEED OF ABRAHAM? “For you are all SON’S OF GOD through faith in Christ Jesus.....And if you belong to Christ, then you are ABRAHAM’S SEED, heirs according to promise[like Isaac]”(Gal 3:26-29). “I will say to the north... the south...Bring MY SONS from afar and MY DAUGHTERS from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed [like Jeremiah], whom I have made”(Isa 43:6,7). This is THE ELECT.
“ALL that the FATHER gives me will come to me...I will certainly not cast (them) out....will raise them up on the last day.” “They have eternal life”.(John 6:37-40)
These are the “lost sheep” that Christ seeks and finds. “NOT ONE WILL BE MISSING”.(Jer. 23:4).
“By the lost sheep Christ represents not only the individual sinner but the one world that has apostatized and has been ruined by sin.”-Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 190.
Wow this is amazing! There are other worlds that have not apostatized. But the LORD didn't just say why worry I have 99 other worlds let them destroy themselves. No, He said I love them too much, I will risk everything to give them a second chance to return to the fold.
Jesus' love for me, draws me like a magnet to the pole, I want to be within His loving arms.
I love that Jesus searches for a sheep and a coin but the son he patiently waits (longingly waits) for his return. Sheep cannot find their way home, coins don't even know they are lost, but sons have been home and know Father's love but have been distracted! O how individually personal is our God!!
The lesson asks, "Compare the story of the prodigal son with the story of the rich man and Lazarus. How do the two balance each other out?"
In my opinion they don't. They are dealing with two entirely different issues. The parable of the prodigal son is about acceptance of sinners and backsliders while the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is about the relationship of what we do in this life to our status in the life to come.
There is still a connection in the two parables, there are two rich fathers, one righteous one a sinner, two poor "sons" one by choice, the other by circumstances (Lazarus), one righteous one a sinner, but i agree with you the main lessons are totally different.