Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The parable of the lost sheep
Luke 15: 1-7
Theme verse:
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent – St Luke 15:7
Devotion
Theme verse:
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent – St Luke 15:7
Devotion
The parable of the lost sheep. The chapter begins with the Pharisees and scribes murmuring about Jesus associating with sinners and publicans. The lost sheep represents the sinner as departed from God, and exposed to certain ruin if not brought back to him, yet not desirous to return. We have here,
I. The case of a sinner that goes on in sinful ways. He is like a lost sheep, a sheep gone astray; he is lost to God, who has not the honor and service he should have from him; lost to the flock, which has not communion with him; lost to himself: he knows not where he is, wanders endlessly, is continually exposed to the beasts of prey, subject to frights and terrors, from under the shepherd's care, and wanting the green pastures; and he cannot of himself find the way back to the fold.
II. The care the God of heaven takes of poor wandering sinners. He continues his care of the sheep that did not go astray; they are safe in the wilderness. But there is a particular care to be taken of this lost sheep; and though he has a hundred sheep, a considerable flock, yet he will not lose that one, but he goes after it, and shows abundance of care, in finding it out. He follows it, enquiring after it, and looking about for it, until he finds it. God follows backsliding sinners with the calls of his word and the strivings of his Spirit, until at length they are wrought upon to think of returning. This is very applicable to the great work of our redemption. God sends his Son to seek and save that which was lost. Christ is said to gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, denoting his pity and tenderness towards poor sinners; here he is said to bear them upon his shoulders, denoting the power wherewith he supports and bears them up; those can never perish whom he carries upon his shoulders.
III. The pleasure that God takes in repenting returning sinners. He lays it on his shoulders rejoicing that he has not lost his labor in seeking; and the joy is the greater because he began to be out of hope of finding it; and he calls his friends and neighbors, the shepherds that keep their flocks about him, saying, Rejoice with me. Observe, he calls it his sheep, though a stray, a wandering sheep. He has a right to it (all souls are mine), and he will claim his own, and recover his right; therefore he looks after it himself: he did not send a servant, but his own Son, the great and good Shepherd, who will find what he seeks, and will be found of those that seek him not.
Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home. How careful then should we be that our repentance is unto salvation!
II. The care the God of heaven takes of poor wandering sinners. He continues his care of the sheep that did not go astray; they are safe in the wilderness. But there is a particular care to be taken of this lost sheep; and though he has a hundred sheep, a considerable flock, yet he will not lose that one, but he goes after it, and shows abundance of care, in finding it out. He follows it, enquiring after it, and looking about for it, until he finds it. God follows backsliding sinners with the calls of his word and the strivings of his Spirit, until at length they are wrought upon to think of returning. This is very applicable to the great work of our redemption. God sends his Son to seek and save that which was lost. Christ is said to gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, denoting his pity and tenderness towards poor sinners; here he is said to bear them upon his shoulders, denoting the power wherewith he supports and bears them up; those can never perish whom he carries upon his shoulders.
III. The pleasure that God takes in repenting returning sinners. He lays it on his shoulders rejoicing that he has not lost his labor in seeking; and the joy is the greater because he began to be out of hope of finding it; and he calls his friends and neighbors, the shepherds that keep their flocks about him, saying, Rejoice with me. Observe, he calls it his sheep, though a stray, a wandering sheep. He has a right to it (all souls are mine), and he will claim his own, and recover his right; therefore he looks after it himself: he did not send a servant, but his own Son, the great and good Shepherd, who will find what he seeks, and will be found of those that seek him not.
Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home. How careful then should we be that our repentance is unto salvation!
Prayer
Dear Lord, we thank you for sending your only begotten son to redeem us, your lost sheep!.
Thought for the Day
Repentance and conversion of sinners bring joy both on earth and in heaven. No sinner is beyond hope, and God delights in their return
Mr. George Sam, Immanuel MTC, V
Dear Lord, we thank you for sending your only begotten son to redeem us, your lost sheep!.
Thought for the Day
Repentance and conversion of sinners bring joy both on earth and in heaven. No sinner is beyond hope, and God delights in their return
Mr. George Sam, Immanuel MTC, V