The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 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.”
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 4-10)
Have you lost anything of great value, or something very precious to you? The sense of relief you feel when you find it again is immense. But worse, have you ever lost a child? I recall one occasion when my son was about fifteen years of age he was lost, after a football match. I couldn’t find him anywhere and no one had seen him leave. I made phone calls, and drove all around the area to look in different places where he could be. I still remember the panic I felt when after an hour I still hadn’t found him. When I did eventually find him standing in an alleyway just outside the field, my relief cannot be described.
God gave me a picture of a father searching for His children in a thick forest. He would not give up searching until each one was found. Then I saw a river flowing in all directions, through streets, alleyways, buildings, fields, valleys, towns. Over it all stood the cross. The river represented the love of God flowing full and free, compelling, irresistible and overwhelming. If you are already a believer, then pray that you would be able to do your part in spreading the message of His love. Let us all ask God to show us what our unique assignment is to bring His love and truth to our hurting world.
If you do not yet know God then let the river of His love carry you along. Don’t try to resist it; be caught up in His love and embrace it.
Father God is longing to find you, His precious child. He is desperate for all His lost children to come to Him, not remain separated. He is searching constantly and calling your name, to come to Him and be safe with Him. The Bible is really one long story about how God our Father is searching for His lost children. Won’t you respond to His call today and run into His loving arms? How amazing it is to be totally overwhelmed by His love as He welcomes and accepts us as we are, unconditionally. We can accept and receive this amazing love through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross.
There will be a huge celebration in heaven when you are found!
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)