One Hundred and One Found
Do you know of anyone who is not lost or who has not been lost at some point in their lives? Have you ever met a person who does not need to change anything in their life?
We all have room to change and to grow. We have habits and choices that we need to quit or to adjust. There is room in all our lives for repentance. When we are lost, we can be found. When we need to, we can repent.
Jesus told a parable to those who criticized him for spending time with and eating with sinners, saying, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?” (Luke 15:3-4, ESV).
When we are lost, Jesus goes out of his way to seek and to save us. When Jesus finds us, he rejoices and celebrates his rescue of us.
As the parable continues, “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” (Luke 15:5-6, ESV).
God rejoices when we are no longer lost. When we go astray, God desires to bring us back home to him. And when we are home, heaven celebrates our homecoming.
Jesus said, “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:7, ESV).
May we see ourselves as lost and in need of repentance, so that we may be found by Jesus and have our new life celebrated in heaven.
A Collect for Grace: “O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Begin the month with a #dailydevotional. I have created a #devotional book for each month, a devotional for every day of the year, and offering them for #free by subscribing. Get a link to #Grow365: #September2022—A #Daily Devotional here: www.robbiepruitt.com.
