Sam Haughey (Commercial Salmon Fisherman From ...

Sam Haughey (commercial Salmon fisherman from Alaska)told me a story recently, as I gave him a ride back from Methodist Hospital, how when he wakes up in the middle of the night in Alaska, he looks out the window, and he counts his boats. One night, several years ago, he looked out and one was missing. It had been tied up incorrectly. He quickly dressed and getting in another boat he began to search. The boat had drifted quite a ways, but fortunately the ways and the wind kept the boat pressed up against the shore. Sam’s story is like one of the many stories of the Bible.

We need to search so diligently the shoreline for those who need the life changing grace of God. Those who are untied and adrift. In Luke 15:1-10 this story get exemplified again. The Pharisees haven’t caught on, and they accuse Jesus of “eating with sinners and tax collectors”. Jesus responds: 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15)

He then goes on to tell the story about the prodigal son, who “once was lost and now was found”. (15:24) And rejoicing occurs as the father throws a party. “7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents”