In the crowning story of a triad of stories Jesus told in response to his critics, Jesus highlights the purpose of it all. It is imperative that everyone participates in reaching the lost so we can activate celebrations in heaven and on earth. If you have ever been lost and later found, you know the feeling of being rescued. Reaching out to the lost gives them an opportunity to feel the same bliss.

Is there room in your schedule, life, or heart for the lost? We should see that reaching the lost is not an inconvenient matter, but an act of welcoming the all those who God loves into his expansive fold. How are you making yourself available to the lost? The Hebrew writer calls us to “go outside the camp”. How can we be more hospitable to the lost by going outside of our comfort zones/busy schedules?

In the Fall, it is fitting to consider themes of Harvest. Harvest is language Jesus used to describe the condition f people who felt the pain and misery of life. Jesus acknowledge that this represented a large population and thus, there would be a need for many to meet the needs of this plentiful harvest. Here, the phrase “each one, reach one” becomes even more relevant.

Jesus regularly ate with sinners (those who were far from God). These meals were the source of complaints from religious leaders. On one occasion, the complaint led to Jesus telling three impactful stories that not only explained his mealtime habits, but they also reveal the heart of God for the lost.