Today’s Reading: Luke 15: 1-7
Today’s Verse: 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? Luke 15:4 KJV
There is a gospel song called “99 ½ Won’t Do.”
It is a song about struggles. Ones that cause someone to lose their direction. They are trying to get back on track. That they are trying to reach His goal of one hundred.
It reminds me of the Biblical parable of the lost sheep. About God’s continued pursuit of the 100th soul.
It speaks of a spiritual journey. One that is often seen as a soul’s journey to find salvation and complete faith.
This passage is the start of a parable that Jesus told in response to the Pharisees and scribes talking bad about Him. All because He was eating with sinners.
He asked, “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?” (Luke 15:4 KJV).
He wanted to know what they would do if they lost one sheep from a flock of a hundred.
The suggested response. A responsible shepherd would leave the other ninety-nine sheep and go after the single lost one. Searching until it was found.
Upon finding the lost sheep, the shepherd would place it on his shoulder. Carrying it back home, rejoicing.
There would be a call to celebrate. He would invite his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him for having found his lost sheep.
This parable of the lost sheep represents a sinner. One who has wandered away from God. The shepherd represents God’s never-ending effort to seek out and save that individual.
Jesus used this parable to challenge the self-righteous Pharisees. It was His way of showing them that their attitude should be one of compassion. Actively seeking those who have strayed, rather than attacking them.
It is a great reminder of God’s love for the lost. About the magnificent work of man’s redemption.
The world is full of lost sheep. The ones that have strayed. The ones that need to come back home. Those that have yet to be found.
God makes use of various means and methods to bring lost souls’ home to Himself.
Let us be the shepherd He uses to help find them.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we pray for the lost souls who have wandered from Your path. Let us be a shepherd that seeks to find those who are lost. To bring them back to You. Speak to their hearts, Lord. Remind them that they belong to You and are valued. Giving them the courage to come back to You. To accept Your loving guidance. We know that Heaven rejoices over the saving of just one lost soul. There is nothing like the rejoicing and celebrations we have when we find that one lost sheep. Thank You for the desire to save those who are lost.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen