September 24 - The Value Of One.

Luke 15:3-7
“And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
 
The picture of a shepherd and his sheep in relation to Jesus and His children is one of the most precious recorded within the pages of Scripture. What tender love and care the Good Shepherd must have for His sheep!
 
A lost sheep is completely helpless on it’s own, and needs a Saviour to save it and bring it back to the fold. When the sheep is found, the Shepherd lovingly picks it up, gently speaks Words of comfort, and carries it home on His shoulders. “The LORD is my shepherd…He restoreth my soul” Psalm 23:1,3
 
Matthew 18:11-14
“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”
 
Although the ninety and nine may be safe, the Shepherd goes after the one. Aren't you glad He came and found you when you were astray?
 
Why does the Shepherd, our Father, go after the one lost sheep?
Because He is not willing that any should perish.
 
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
 
Can you imagine the rejoicing in Heaven when a sinner repents and trusts Christ to save them? Jesus came to earth with one main purpose, to reach the lost; there is nothing else gives Him more joy.
 
“The principal joy in Heaven now and for eternity is that souls are saved!”
Dr. John R. Rice
 
May we strive to bring forth more rejoicing in Heaven by being faithful to share the Gospel with the lost sheep all around us.
 
Go sound the horn, strike up the choir!
A sinner is saved, saved from the fire!
No more in darkness, he’s received My Son!
All heaven rejoices, that’s the value of one!
Unknown
 
 
Bible Reading:
Isaiah 27-28  |  Romans 7  |  Psalm 56