“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away!” Matthew 18:12-13 NLT (THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP)
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 NLT (THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON)
Both of these parables, the lost sheep and the prodigal son, talk about something precious that has wandered away. Faaaaaar away. In one the lost son returns on his own, probably scuffling along in deep shame. In the other story, sheep can be too stupid to even know they’re lost. He’s probably just standing there crying. With no idea how he ended up in this unsavory predicament. But he gets found and there is much rejoicing. Rejoicing? Unbelieveable! And the father of the prodigal son goes flying down the hill full-tilt. Arms open wide. Ear to ear grin. In both these stories, the one who loves rejoices beyond belief when the lost is found.
Wait just a minute. Didn’t they chose to wander away? One practically says good riddance! I’d be tempted to say, fine. Buh-bye. And hit the block button on our relationship.
But not God.
Many of you reading this are probably in a fairly good relationship with God right now. But it wasn’t always that way. For many of you, there was a time when you wandered, drifted, faaaaar away from God. Until one day you saw the error of your ways and returned, shuffling your feet, head hanging, heavy heart with no words. Just regret. And unworthiness. And for those of you who didn’t even realize just how far you wandered, Jesus was in pursuit of you. You were found by Him. And He rejoiced when you turned your face toward Him.
God in His love always welcomes you back. Filled with love and compassion. It doesn’t matter how far you wander or how long it’s been (or how often). He rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17) And it’s not grudgingly because He is God and He has to love you. His celebratory spirit is genuine. It is real. And it is for you. Every day. Every moment. Right now. And eternally, forever so.
Love you,
God
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