Years ago, there was a series of commercials asking the question: What would you be willing to do “for just 1” Klondike Bar? With the heat we have had this summer, I am sure there were times I would have been willing to take extreme measures to do some of things that people would do on those commercials if I had been asked that question. As Christ followers, we must ask ourselves the question: Would we be willing to take extreme measures “for just 1” more person to come to know Christ?
AtkinsThe shepherd’s story in Luke 15:1-7 paints a picture of what one man was willing to do “for just 1.” Here, we see a person who was willing to leave security for uncertainty. He had a good-sized flock that would guarantee he would be provided for if he just stayed and watched over them. He had a good-sized flock that was content and willing to not cause him any trouble by running off and getting into trouble. Yet, we see the shepherd leaving the security of the 99 because his heart was not fixed on the uncertainty of what might happen if he left his security; his heart was fixed on what he could do “for just 1” more to be brought into the fold.
The woman’s story in Luke 15:8-10 shows the willingness of another person to take extreme measures “for just 1.” When she becomes burdened to go after what was lost, she shines a light into the darkness and goes to work. She does not think about losing sleep, the expense of the oil that is being used to provide the light, or even if someone may come and take her other coins if she does not keep her attention on them. Her only concern is what can be done “for just 1” to be brought into the security of belonging to the collection of the other items of great value.
Yet the father’s story in Luke 15:11-32 may be the most compelling of all of these. Here, a father can do nothing but watch and pray for his son who has been lost. He has one son who is safe and secure, yet his heart is set on being prepared “for just 1” to come into the family some day. When he sees his son approaching, he runs and embraces him despite all of the filth of the world being on him. The father loves him with extreme measures of affection, and our Heavenly Father loves those who are lost with extreme measures as well.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells different parables about people who were willing to take extreme measures “for just 1” of those things that was lost, because that which was lost was dear to their heart. When we begin to truly have Great Commission Living in our lives, we, too, will be willing to do whatever it takes “for just 1” to hear the gospel, because they have become dear to our hearts as well. What are you willing to do “for just 1” in the coming days?
– Atkins is pastor of Powdersville First Baptist Church and president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.