Scripture's Story for the Week
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1-7
Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 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. 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 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.
Pondering Point
When we hear or read through Jesus’ story of the
lost sheep, we relate it to ourselves as sheep that
the Shepherd loves and is willing to go find.
Today when you read the story (or listen in), think not of yourself but of a loved one, be it friend or family. Imagine this loved one ending up lost. Some of you might not have to imagine at all – it may already be way too real of a story. Jesus’ point of the story is that in His kingdom, His kind of shepherd goes after the loved ones. Others may consider our loved ones’ disposable, but Jesus shows that God values every sheep, those safely in the fold and those who have strayed from it.
Prayer
Father God, thanks for loving my loved ones. Keep them safe. I specifically pray for… (list both “the lost” and “the found”) …In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
If you know the hymn, consider closing with stanza three of
"Now the Light Has Gone Away" by Francis R. Havergal.
Let my near and dear ones stand
in the hollow of your hand;
Oh, bring me and all I love
to your happy home above.