The Lost and Found Column (1)

 

'...I have found my sheep which was lost.' Luke 15:6 NKJV

         

Yesterday I touched base in Luke chapter 15 on the parable of the "Lost Son." Chapter 15 is sometimes referred to as 'the lost and found column' of the Bible. In it you find the parable of the lost sheep, the lost silver coin, and the lost son. Today let's look at the lost sheep. Like all of us, it had no intention of losing its way. Indeed, it probably thought it wasn't lost at all. This parable shows us two wonderful things about Jesus, our Shepherd: (1) The value God places on you! Some of us would say, 'It's only one out of a hundred sheep, no big deal, nobody will miss it.' Wrong, the Good Shepherd will! Understand this: If you had been the only person who ever lived, Jesus would have gone to the cross and died just for you. Next time you feel worthless and unloved, think about that! (2) The lengths to which God will go to save you! God demolished social and religious barriers and sent Peter, a Jew, down to Caesarea to preach the Gospel to Cornelius, a Gentile. Heaven cannot shut its ears to the cry of one lost soul! When Cornelius prayed, God replied, 'Your prayers...have come up for a memorial before [Me].' (Acts 10:4 NKJV) And here's a gem: 'When [the shepherd] has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.' (Luke 15:5 NKJV) Jesus will not only save you, He will 'carry' you when you feel you can't go on. His promise is, '...I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) One Sunday when Charles Spurgeon preached, a man jumped up and shouted, 'I'm lost!' Spurgeon replied, 'Thank God, you've just been found!' You are loved!