If you had one hundred
sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t
you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found
it? And then you would joyfully carry it
home on your shoulders. When you
arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you
because your lost sheep was found. In
the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God
than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:4-7
I am fond of Jesus’ parables. The parables are wonderful stories for faith
building, and especially for children. Most of the time I view the world through children and their faith
development. This is why I chose this
Bible selection. This parable tells
about a shepherd who left his 99 sheep to search for a lost one (one who
strayed away). He knew that the lost one
was in danger. Each sheep is of high
value, just as each of us is of high value and loved by God. When the shepherd found the sheep, he carried
it home. In the same way, God rejoices
when any of us are lost (strayed away) and wee return to God. Each one of us is to be that shepherd and
minister to those that have strayed and bring them back to God. This is a challenge for you to be a
shepherd.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Give
me courage to be a shepherd and to share God’s love. Amen.
Susan Taylor (Reprinted from Daily Devotional Book, November
2008)
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