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My nephew is just about to turn 5. He has one of the best memories for a kid I’ve ever seen. He can remember every gift I’ve gotten him. And then he’ll say, “remember when we used to do this?” And we’ll talk about what a fun time we had fishing, playing at the park, making forts or painting.
When we play with cars, he loves to pull out all of them and get them lined up. But if one is missing, he knows.
“Where’s my blue truck?”
We leave the cars lined up on the carpet and go search for the lost one. Digging through the toy box we come across some treasures we forgot about, but he doesn’t lose focus.
The search must continue.
And when he finds that blue truck, it’s a celebration. We cheer, run back to the carpet and put it in line with the others so we can begin playing.
Luke 15:3-7
“And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
The one.
It seems outrageous to think a shepherd would leave a flock of 99 to go and search for the one missing sheep.
But He does.
And when He finds the lost one, He rejoices! He lifts him up, high upon His shoulders, carrying him to safety. But He doesn’t stop there. He calls His friends and neighbors to rejoice with Him.
Just one.
One lost sheep.
I was that sheep. You are that sheep. And our good, faithful, loving shepherd, Jesus Christ, seeks us out.
Rescues us.
Rejoices over us.
Redeems us.
If you were once lost but now you’re found, rejoice!
If you are lost, listen for the call of the shepherd. Jesus is seeking you; hear His voice.
If you’ve been found, share His good news with others so that they may be found too! Go after the 1.
And rejoice!
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