Lost, found, rejoicing

Something was lost, something was found, and that led to rejoicing. Jesus here is sitting with tax collectors, known sinners, the high and mighty, and those who thought they were just plain better. Jesus was looking for all of them. Each is important to Jesus. Diligent effort was put forth to find the lost; Jesus wasn't worried about offending them He knew what He needed to do. There was a divine appointment at hand and He was going to take advantage of it. We need to also be out there taking the opportunities given us by God to find the lost. When something of great value is found there is rejoicing. When a lost soul is found there by Jesus there is even greater rejoicing. We get to rejoice as well when that soul is found by Christ. And if we have had a hand in that finding then we also have great cause for rejoicing.