These past two Fridays we have been exploring the first two of the three categories of those who are spiritually lost. We have seen that some are lost but they don’t know it and don’t want to be found, and that some never intended to get lost, and are longing to be found. According to Luke 15, there is yet a third class of the lost …

My precious cat, Princess (See “The Case of the Disappearing Cat“) eventually finished her time on Earth. After this, I didn’t want another pet. Nothing could compare to Princess! Today’s story actually happened to our neighbour a few months ago. Their 14 year old daughter forgot her parrot was on her shoulder and she walked outside. The parrot saw his chance to be free, and he flew.

He actually didn’t go far, just to the top branches of a tall tree, and that’s where he stayed. Nothing the girl could do would convince him to come down. My wife, who was walking by at the time, stopped to help them, and she will attest that the young girl never stopped looking for her bird.

The last of the three “lost” stories in Luke 15 is the parable of the lost son, also known as the Prodigal son! This young man had everything, but he wasn’t happy. He wanted to be free. He made his father liquidate his part of the inheritance and then he just—took off! “The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country…” (Luke 15:11-13a NIV). The father was devastated. He sat at the roadside everyday, hoping beyond hope that his wayward son would come home.

This lost son has something in common with my neighour’s parrot. Both had it really good, but given the first opportunity, both ran—or flew!—away; and in both cases, they were diligently sought after!

It wasn’t too long after the parrot flew to the top of the tree that a wind picked up and it started to rain. After a few minutes, the parrot found himself shivering from the cold.

In a similar fashion, the prodigal son, “squandered his wealth in wild living…and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.” (Vs. 13b-15 NIV). Nonetheless, he didn’t come home. At least not right away. But eventually he, “came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. So he got up and went to his father.” (Vs. 17-20 NIV)

In a similar fashion, the poor, water-logged parrot also eventually came to his senses. He saw his mistress down below calling out to him, and he flew down a bit. She then climbed up the tree until she could reach him, and together they went into the house where it was warm and dry.

This story, along with the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 tells us about a third class of the lost. These are the ones who know the Lord, but the call of the world is too strong and they turn away. Eventually they do realize they are lost, and though they want to return, they don’t feel worthy. Nonetheless, God NEVER stops seeking the lost: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him…But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (Vs. 20b, 22-24 NIV).

The bottom line is this: It doesn’t matter how lost you are, it doesn’t matter whether you know it or not, it doesn’t even matter if you want to be saved or not… God is seeking you! Why? Because, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV). God loves us! He doesn’t want eternity without us! Hey, He even gave Jesus to die a horrible death on the cross so that we could be with Him in Heaven. And He will never stop seeking the lost until they have drawn their last breath on Earth!

Are you that Prodigal Son? Why not come home to Jesus? He is waiting for you! If you need help, please email me and I will be happy to help you!

But perhaps you have already returned to Jesus, but you have prodigals in your group of family and friends! Don’t ever give up on them! Just keep loving them and praying for them, ever knowing that God will never give up on them until they have passed from this Earth!

This is the last part of the “Seeking the Lost” devotional series. If you have missed any of the parts, we invite you to access the entire series by clicking here!

Inspired by Rob Chaffart
Founder, Answers2Prayer Ministries


(To assess the entire “Seeking the Lost” devotional series, please click here!)