We sometimes talk of things 'vanishing into thin air', but we know that is merely a figure of speech. Whatever happened to that plane and its passengers, it is fair to say that they are lost. This has terrible consequences for the friends and relatives, colleagues and neighbours of those who were on that flight. People they knew are now lost.
We often talk of people 'having lost their way', or 'lost the will to live'. Being lost has a terrible impact on the people themselves. Someone told me yesterday that things were so awful in their life, that that they wanted to end their life.
The Gospels tell us that Jesus came to 'seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19.10)
This particular story, of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus, the tax collector, brings me hope, when I see the difference that Jesus made in his life.
Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” (Luke 19.8)
I often meet people who know they are thoroughly lost.
Things have happened in their lives, often one thing followed by many others, and hope has gone, and life seems to be an endless cycle of disaster and chaos, with broken promises and shattered self-worth.
All I can do is remember that Jesus came to rescue people who were lost. The famous story of the man with two sons ends with this comment. 'For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” (Luke 15.32)
Increasingly, in our Church, we encounter such people. They have tried other ways, and found them to be useless. Then they come to St. Andrew's and encounter the people of Jesus, and in some cases, a miracle happens.
Please remember to pray for those who know they are lost, that they will discover that Jesus can rescue.
Best wishes,
Richard
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