[Jesus continued.] “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”
(Matthew 18:12-14 NIV)
The Father loves all of his little ones. He doesn’t want any of them to perish, to be lost, or even to be in danger. So he is willing to do something extreme, like the shepherd. That is why God came in Jesus, Immanuel. He left the safety of heaven to find the lost one, to find you and me. Now he looks to us and asks us to find the other lost little ones.
Today’s prayer: Holy God, I am intensely aware and deeply awed that you came to find me, one of your lost children. Give me your heart for those who are lost, too. This week, lead me to one you want back in your family, and please give me the eyes to see that person when you place him or her in my path. Please give me the courage and conviction to act in ways that gently bring that lost person home. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
