October 30, 2024

You Are Not Just A Number With Christ

INTERESTING FACTS : SAMUEL ADAMS  - Samuel Adams - born Sept. 27 [Sept. 16, Old Style], 1722, Boston died Oct. 2, 1803, Boston politician of the American Revolution, leader of the Massachusetts "radicals," who was a delegate to the Continental Congress (1774-81) and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was later lieutenant governor (1789-93) and governor (1794-97) of Massachusetts[1]
 
"Nothing is more essential to the establishment of manners in a State than that all persons employed in places of power and trust be men of unexceptionable characters. The public cannot be too curious concerning the character of public men."[2]
 
Daily Reading : Luke 14 - 16
 
TEXT : Luke  15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.  15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.  15:3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,  15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?  15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.  15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.  15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?  15:9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.  15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
 
THEME : Salvation
 
Luke 14 
 
In this chapter we have,  I. The cure which our Lord Jesus wrought upon a man that had the dropsy, on the sabbath day, and his justifying himself therein against those who were offended at his doing it on that day (Luk_14:1-6).  II. A lesson of humility gives to those who were ambitious of the highest rooms (Luk_14:7-11).  III. A lesson of charity to those who feasted the rich, and did not feed the poor (Luk_14:12-14).  IV. The success of the gospel not foretold in the parable of the guests invited to a feast, signifying the rejection of the Jews and all others that set their hearts upon this world, and the entertainment of the Gentiles and all others that come to be filled with Christ (Luk_14:15-24).  V. The great law of discipleship laid down, with a caution to all that will be Christ's disciples to undertake it deliberately and with consideration, and particularly to ministers, to retain their savour (Luk_14:25-35).  (Matthew Henry)[3]
 
Luke 15 
 
Evil manners, we say, beget good laws; so, in this chapter, the murmuring of the scribes and Pharisees at the grace of Christ, and the favour he showed to publicans and sinners, gave occasion for a more full discovery of that grace than perhaps otherwise we should have had in these three parables which we have in this chapter, the scope of all of which is the same, to show, not only what God had said and sworn in the Old Testament, that he had no pleasure in the death and ruin of sinners, but that he had great pleasure in their return and repentance, and rejoices in the gracious entertainment he gives them thereupon. Here is,  I. The offence which the Pharisees took at Christ for conversing with heathen men and publicans, and preaching his gospel to them (Luk_15:1, Luk_15:2).  II. His justifying himself in it, by the design and proper tendency of it, which with many had been the effect of it, and that was, the bringing of them to repent and reform their lives, than which there could not be a more pleasing and acceptable service done to God, which he shows in the parables,  1. Of the lost sheep that was brought home with joy (Luk_15:4-7).  2. Of the lost silver that was found with joy (Luk_15:8-10).  3. Of the lost son that had been a prodigal, but returned to his father's house, and was received with great joy, though his elder brother, like these scribes and Pharisees, was offended at it (v. 11-32).  (Matthew Henry)[4]
 
Luke 16 
 
The scope of Christ's discourse in this chapter is to awaken and quicken us all so to use this world as not to abuse it, so to manage all our possessions and enjoyments here as that they may make for us, and may not make against us in the other world; for they will do either the one or the other, according as we use them now.  I. If we do good with them, and lay out what we have in works of piety and charity, we shall reap the benefit of it in the world to come; and this he shows in the parable of the unjust steward, who made so good a hand of his lord's goods that, when he was turned out of his stewardship, he had a comfortable subsistence to betake himself to. The parable itself we have (Luk_16:1-8); the explanation and application of it (Luk_16:9-13); and the contempt which the Pharisees put upon the doctrine Christ preached to them, for which he sharply reproved them, adding some other weighty sayings (Luk_16:14-18).  II. It, instead of doing good with our worldly enjoyments, we make them the food and fuel of our lusts, of our luxury and sensuality, and deny relief to the poor, we shall certainly perish eternally, and the things of this world, which were thus abused, will but add to our misery and torment. This he shows in the other parable of the rich man and Lazarus, which has likewise a further intention, and that is, to awaken us all to take the warning given us by the written word, and not to expect immediate messages from the other world (Luk_16:19-31).  (Matthew Henry)[5]
 
TRUTH FOR TODAY : "YOU ARE NOT JUST A NUMBER WITH CHRIST."
 
In the life of our LORD Jesus Christ, there are many fascinating and encouraging events, statements, facts, and principles.  Jesus is kind, gentle, and understanding.  Of course, He is not like you.   He is fully God and fully man.  You are just flesh and blood, which encases your spirit and soul.  However, being born again - you are made a partaker of the divine nature.  This means, you have been born "again" by God's Holy Spirit.  Still, you are only a man or a woman.  Jesus, on the other hand, is God come in the flesh.  Thankfully, when you meet God in the Gospel, you meet a Healer, a Savior, and a "Friend of sinners." It could not be otherwise, because the essential nature of God is that He is love.
 
In Luke chapter 15, there are two parables both of which have the same essential meaning.  Remember, a parable by design, only makes one point.  A parable is what is called - "an extended metaphor." Although a parable may have many details, it still has only principle or truth.  In any case, Jesus tells two parables both of which emphasize the same idea.  Often in the Scriptures, when a subject is repeated, it is to accent the truth being told.
 
In speaking of salvation to a crowd of tax collectors and "sinners," Luke tells us they came to "hear him." In the background, you see the Pharisees and the Scribes murmuring that Jesus "receives sinners and eats with them." This is why the Gospel is called good news.  Others may shun you, dislike you, or have nothing to do with you.  Jesus however, will eat with you and be your "friend." He will speak to you and teach you the ways of peace.
 
You know that God condemns sin, and that sin is described in the Bible as breaking God's law or laws.  Yet, when Jesus the Messiah comes, He eats, drinks, walks, and talks with sinners.  Under the Old Covenant, (as God has decided to unfold his plan in each age), to commit adultery, steal, blaspheme the name of God, and so forth -the penalty was death.  However, in the New Testament (covenant) Jesus came to forgive sin.  Moreover, Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty of sin (which, again is death), and to make sinful men and women "new creatures in Christ Jesus." Thus, you see Jesus continually with sinners.  This was His message, His mission, and His ministry.  It was not to call the righteous to repent (although the Bible is clear that all men have sinned) but it was to call and save sinful people.
 
What is so encouraging in the two parables Jesus shares is the fact that the shepherd or the woman would hunt or search for even one lost sheep or lost coin.  This tells you something.  It demonstrates the value of one human life.  That is, it is evidence that you as an individual are important to God.  It means, as the saying goes, you are not just a "number." You are more than just a face in the crowd.  You are not just a statistic.  It means you have value to God as an individual, a person. 
 
Sometimes, this truth is difficult to grasp.  The reason the truth of one person being of great value to Almighty God is hard to understand, is because you are used to dealing with men and women.  That is all you have ever known.  What this means is that men and women are not only sinful (therefore, flawed) but they are limited as well.  Parents, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, - all have limitations.  They all have only so much patience, time, resources, and abilities, etc. and so forth.  For this reason, you can be left with the impression you are not of great value.  That is, in your family, or marriage, or among your friends, and in your community or country.  Human beings can only do so much no matter how good they may be.  God however, has no limitations.  There are no limits to His intelligence, resources, abilities, or time.  Once again, this is why the Gospel of Jesus Christ is such good news.  You are loved by the Infinite, Almighty, and Eternal God.
 
When Jesus comes to earth (as we see in the two parables in Luke chapter 15), He tells you this - that you, as an individual, as one person, are of tremendous value to the Great Shepherd of your soul.  Jesus, in another place, tells you that He knows His sheep by name.  (By the way, knowing each sheep individually is a trait of every (human) shepherd; they know all of their sheep by name.)  Therefore, not one sheep is "just a number." The life of a shepherd in many parts of the world is intensely personal.  That means the shepherd looks at his flock with great compassion, concern, and care.  Again, not one sheep is just a number.  Each one has value in the heart of the shepherd.
 
Today, think of this important truth - the angels in heaven have joy over one sinner that turns to Christ more than the ninety-nine that did not need to repent.  Again, this demonstrates the importance and value of one human life.  Moreover, it imparts to you the encouraging news that you are important to Almighty God.  You are not "just a number." The fact that "you are loved," may seem clichéd when spoken by men and women.  However, it is never trite or hackneyed when it is spoken by God!  Therefore, if one sparrow will not fall (dead) to the ground today without the Father ordaining, permitting, planning,  or noticing, then how much more are you of great value to him?  That is, you personally.  Remember, you are "not just a number." At least, you are not just a number or statistic with Jesus Christ.  In the end, that is all that counts. You are of great value and concern to Him!

  • [1] Brittanica, Encyclopedia. Encylopedia Brittanica Deluxe Edition. 2011.
  • [2] [Samuel Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1907), Vol. III, p. 236-237, to James Warren on November 4, 1775.]
  • [3] Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible. Public Domain, [1662 - 1714].
  • [4] Ibid;
  • [5] Ibid
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