Luke 15:7 (NKJV) I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
The men's small group that I'm in has been going (slowly) through the Gospel of Luke. Last week we launched into chapter 15, one of my favorites in the New Testament, most known for the story of the prodigal son. Leading up to that are two shorter parables, that of the lost sheep and of the lost coin. They are a good lead in to the prodigal son and teach us something of repentance. In the story of the prodigal son, he "came to himself" came to his senses while he was far off and returned home. Here, the sheep that is lost needs to be found and brought back to the fold.
In today's modern churches, all to often not many people pay attention to those sheep that are no longer in the fold. It is assumed that they've found another church another fold. But how many lost sheep are out there with no shepherd searching for them? You may hear some say "it's not practical" to go after them. That is exactly the point of the story. It isn't practical but it is what the shepherd does.
In a commentary that our group is using while going through Luke, Henry Wansbrough, made a short but powerful statement that caught our attention. "In desperation logic comes second". How many of us at some point in our lives had wandered and had someone to bring us back to the fold, bring us back to church, back to our faith. It may have gone against logic, but aren't you thankful?
There is a commercial that you've probably seen on TV that uses the slogan "man up!". Jesus starts this story with that thought in mind as He asks the question "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 15:4 (ESV)
Do you know of someone who seems to have fallen off the radar screen at church or in your small group or youth group? It may not seem practical, but think of Wansbrough's statement , "In desperation logic comes second". Would you consider a note, phone call or a conversation with that person? Perhaps you will be the person who is instrumental in causing a celebration in heaven over one who was brought back.
In Christ,
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
4-7"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
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