One Lost Sheep

The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

THE APOSTLE PAUL, in his letter to the Ephesians, writes,

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.^a

These words evoke awe and amazement, don’t they? To consider that before the sun was ever formed, before a star was ever placed in the sky, before mountains were ever laid upon the earth, and before oceans were ever poured over the land, God Almighty on high set his sights on the Christian’s soul. And not only did he plan to love his children, but he also pursues us with his love. Even though we have wandered away from him, he comes searching after us. Over and above our sinful rebellion and selfish resistance, God in Christ pursues his people.

Jesus describes this relentless pursuit in the parable of the lost sheep:

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.^b

What an amazing picture of God’s love for us. And then, in an act that must seem crazy to most people, God sent his Son to die on the cross for our sin so that we could be saved by him. Do you realize the wonder of this?

Thank God for pursuing you in your sin. Ask him to renew your joy as you consider his grace in the gospel.