Joy Over One

Luke 15:1-10

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not 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 neighbors 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. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors 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.

Footnotes:
Luke 15:8 [a] Greek ten drachmas, each worth about a day's wages

Bee's Thoughts:

As mentioned in my other blog, stories always bring home the truth we usually missed by mere reasoning. I like these two parables (stories) since young. Reading it again now shows me another new revelation. That's the wonderful thing about the Bible, each time we read the same passage we feel different because the Holy Spirit will reveal certain truth to us depending on our needs of that moment. I see the following truth for myself:

1. Jesus loves me so much - even if I am the only one that strayed He will go out to seek me "until he finds" me.


2. Jesus rejoices over finding one "lost sheep" - I am so precious to Him.

Thank You, Lord, for loving me so much. When I am "lost" You will go out to bring me back. I know you are doing it now, showing me I need to stay with You to be safe instead of detouring into the "wilderness" and be hurt. I want to love You Lord.

P/S: Yes, Fin and Ken, if you are reading this "devotion" I hope you will realize that you are so precious to God too. He is looking for you both now... so come close to Him to be embraced by His love too.

....the devotion of Bee