GO AFTER THE ONE!

by Diana Kriesel

Friday, 1/15/10 – Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15 – GO AFTER THE ONE!

S— Luke 15:4-7 - Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it — there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. [The Message Translation]

O—Jesus, being the Shepherd, came to seek and to save them that are lost (Luke 19:10). His heart is consumed with His sheep…we are His sheep, and when one of us wanders, He goes to all lengths to recover us, take us close to Himself, and carry us. And there is great cause for rejoicing when the lost is found.

A— Not only is this the heart of Jesus, but it is to be our heart as well. Sheep are lost because they wander and fail to see the danger they are in. A sheep cannot find its own way back to the flock. When one of His followers strays, it pleases the Lord when we, with patience, compassion and mercy, love them enough to go the extra mile and bring them home to the Father. And when they return, there is great celebration…we rejoice, the church rejoices and heaven rejoices. Sometimes we get so busy being focused on ministry or the “stuff” of church, that we can miss the true heart of God to go and invest in that one that has strayed off the path, and love him/her back on track.

P— Lord, may we see others the way that You see them…with eyes of compassion and mercy. May we always remember what length You went to, to bring us from our wandering ways, how You loved us back to Yourself, may we walk out Your love in such a way that others are drawn back to You through our lives.