Day 306

Rejoice, the Lost Has Been Found

Read: Luke 13-15

Luke 15 contains three parables with this in common—in each there is rejoicing when what was lost is found. A shepherd has 100 sheep, 99 of which are safe, but one has wandered off and is in mortal danger. The shepherd puts forth the effort to go find that one sheep and rejoices when it is found. There are many people who are wandering sheep, so let us be involved in evangelism, for there is no joy greater than that of having a share in bringing a person to Christ so he or she can experience eternal salvation.

A woman has ten coins and loses one. She does not have adequate natural light allowed by large windows such as are common in homes today and probably hers is a dirt floor. So she works hard to find the coin and when she does, she rejoices. Some people are lost right within the Father’s house, the church. Let us do all we can to bring them to Christ, and then let us rejoice.

A father has a wayward son. The young man is greedy and selfish. He is headstrong and lusts after evils readily available in the sinful world. But the father still loves him. When he hits bottom, the son finally realizes what a mistake he has made. He is willing to humble himself. He comes back to his father who goes running out to meet him, rejoicing at his return. God is like that father; be sure not to be like the elder brother.

PRAYER
Father, bless various methods of evangelism, and we shall rejoice in the wonderful results. In Jesus’ name. Amen.