Verse: Matt 18:12-14 NIV (The parable of the lost sheep)
“If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”
Thoughts
The message of this parable is simple, profound, and incredibly encouraging. When we wander, Jesus comes looking for us.
Are you wandering? Are you reading this today and if you are honest you've been wandering in your faith some? You haven't been drawing closer to Jesus. In fact, you've been slowly pulling away.
Have you been making decisions to live for yourself instead of God? To follow your desires and your ideas and your own path, rather than surrendering to Gods? Have you made choices to sin, to break trust with God, and/or to hurt others?
The amazing message of this parable is...Jesus is looking for you. Just like God looked for Adam in the garden, when we sin and walk away from God, he doesn't give up on us. He keeps looking.
All you have to do, if you've been wandering, is turn to him. He isn't looking for you so that he can yell at you, or punish you. He's looking for you so he can celebrate. He wants to restore relationship with you. He wants to restore you. To heal you, and love you, and forgive you, and set you on the path of life again.
Are you wandering? Maybe this morning Jesus is calling your name. Maybe this morning it is time to turn back to him.
Prayer
Jesus, I choose to turn back to you. I want to know you more, and point my life towards you.