10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [11]
12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Through these verses, I truly see God’s unconditional love for those who are His own children. Like a loving parent, He allows me to make my mistakes, some which may have painful consequences. However, through the incredible grace shown to me through His Son Jesus, He patiently brings back His wayward child.
This passage shows me how easy it is to quickly judge a fellow brother or sister in Christ who falls away from our Lord in sin. I must always remember that I too am a sinner in need of God’s love and forgiveness. Praise God for that!
Chris Doi, Pastor
Japanese Christian Church – Walnut Creek
I believe this assures us that God pursues those who wonder away from Him. And in the same context we also should be pursuing (lovingly) those we know who are straying from the narrow path.
I love when Jesus reveals the will of the Father, that God is for all wishing no one perish. I will be FOR people I meet today, to be more like my Father.
The above post must be from something else – I hadn’t posted yet. But to critic “my” submission – I would exhort me to be more specific! A measurable goal is the key. “be FOR people” is pretty vague! How will I know when I have done what I set out to do. What does “be for people” look like in my specific context today? Having said that here is my do: “I will be for people today – especially “little ones” by doing my best to pause my hurry and give an encouraging word to each little one I meet today. That might be on the street in front of my house. That might be at break out at the New Life campus where most of the kids are not from our church. I will watch for the little ones and speak into their lives.
It is good to be reminded by Him of His love for all humanity and that we are all created for fellowship with Him.
I immediately heard Him say “even the least of your students”…even the ones that may give you grief! Today I am going to make special points of contact with 1-2 students in each of my classes that I don’t typically “love on” as intentionally as others perhaps, or as regularly…show me who You want me to seek out/love on today, Papa…
Awesome Sue, would love to hear about the response of the students.
That is it Suzan! Clear, intentional doable! Great example that will allow the Kingdom to break in through your “obedience” in your life and the life of these specific “little ones”
That is it Suzan! Clear, intentional doable! Great example that will allow the Kingdom to break in through your “obedience” in your life and the life of these specific “little ones.” And Yes tell us all what you see God do!
Jesus comes after those who are bold and daring enough to wander into the unknown. As we enter Lent, dare we become lost? Can we REALLY trust Jesus to come find us?
If we can answer “yes,” then the result should be the discovery, or rediscovery or affirmation, of faith.
Great reminder Chris! No doubt, one is most like Jesus when they love, accept and forgive — knowing each of us will ultimately need to receive of these divine characteristics again…and again.
To me this speaks volumes as my kids have been through some stuggles and are expieriancing some wandering of their own and i am hearing in this passage that i am to continue strenghthen my walk so that I might be a light to my children. Today I will hold Hope for my children.
I was reminded yesterday about how with kids the “day’s are long and the years are short”. Only through God we can have the strength to shine that light through the days that seem long.
Press on Jami.
i was able to see positives in my kids lives more
I see through these passages that the Kingdom is intended to be simple.
Value children and stop for the one…
The many parallels about children and the kingdom of God, encourages me to have child like faith.
We tend to be so caught up in the busyness of life.
What would it be like if we lived out this kingdom mandate to keep it simple, focus on the one, and pursue childlike faith?
What does God want me to do about this?
God is calling me to live out my faith like a child, get back to the basics. Papa is good to me and wants good things for me. He wants me to show others the love that He has shown to me.
What I hear God saying is to love the “1”. I’m going to consciously remember to listen prayerfully to each person I interact with today, and try respond the way our Father wants me to.
I ended up having a chance to help talk someone through giving up chewing tobacco, from the point of view of how much God loves them, instead of from the place of guilt they were in. Praying he’ll be successful, ‘cos that is one tough habit to break!
I hear God tugging my heart to keep reaching out and sharing my testimony regardless what I assume if they care or not, will race,peace and healing will mirinate in those around me how God has never let me down.
In this I am encouraged to put my boys in God’s hands. God knows what is best for them and wants the best for them. He will not abandon them or me. Today each time I worry about my boys I am going to read this verse and ask God to remind me that He loves them and me.
Perfect Sheryl. I join in the prayer that God will indeed draw them! May your heart be encouraged!
What a wonderful reminder that the Father loves us all the same — and I need to practice loving other people all the same, too, especially those with whom it’s hard.
“This passage shows me how easy it is to quickly judge …” Today I am committed to pray for any “lost sheep” (wandering Christians) who come to mind without a critical heart.
Love it Bill!
Thanks chris for the challenge. i find myself coming to people in a challenging way who are wandering away. I want to challenge them directly rather than offer my time to be with them. that is what i hear from God. I am going to grant time and listening presence. kstk sean
I think the words “to judge” someone need some clarification. Am I judging someone when I withdraw my time and attention from someone that claims to be a Christ follower yet blatantly lives outside Biblical instruction and continues to march to their own drumbeat? I think it is a far better use of my time to invest my energy in someone eager to grow in Christ, gently exhort, rebuke and pray that God would work in the life of the resistant one, and be ready to reengage with them as God brings them to repentance. That’s the model I see in Jesus and in the Apostle Paul.
I see God not giving up – He doesn’t throw His hands up in frustration nor is He resigned to losing “even one sheep.” Today I will make time to share what God is saying to me with my three children. I will lovingly pursue them.
This passage reminds me of God’s heart, love, and relentless pursuit of children. Today I feel compelled to pray for my sponsored children in other countries, as well as write to them to remind them of God’s love.
Right on Elizabeth! That is the kind of hearing and doing that will bring kingdom breakthrough in your life and your kids too! I was urged to do the same thing today as well!
This passage reminds me how important the children are to Jesus. We are to be a light to them & lead by example. Also a wonderful reminder that, we are all so precious to God. He truly is our “Papa” loving us un-conditionally & with all his heart. He loves us even when we are not loveable & rejoices with open arms when we turn back to him. I need to see others through his eyes. We are all flawed but, God loves us, even the flaws. Lord, teach me how to love like you. Amen
Open our eyes Lord, that we may see as You see. With love and compassion and mercy, without judgement. Open our eyes to those around us that hunger for direction and purpose in life, and allow Your light to shine through us in love, and prompt us to reach out in love. Thank you for the fellow workers posting here, warriors for Christ!!
The words “and one of them wanders away,” brought to mind a friend of mine who recently told me she feels “she is wandering away.” I heard God saying to check in with her, encourage her, love her, without judgment. I will do that this week, praying for God’s guidance and help.
Wow…thanks for sharing! May the Lord give you the ears to hear her, eyes to see her.
Yes Jody!
I read this and it makes me think, that was me a lost sheep.and im so happy the father never lost sight of meor any of us.
This has reminded me to seek God’s heart and direction moment to moment in my daily interactions with my husband and grandchildren. I have found it more challenging than I had ever expected as my husband and I are responsible for the daily caregiving while our grown-up children work.
What I hear God saying to me is He absolutely loves his children and His plan for each one is more than I can comprehend. He tells me to have a greater expectation of what His children will do for Him. What I’m going to do about it is pour out love to all of his children and see their potential with the eyes of Jesus. Praise God!
It amazes me when you think of the huge number of people on the planet (more so when you enlarge that number with the added dimension of time, i.e., all the people that have EVER lived), that God would value just one as being so precious that he would go anywhere to find a lost one. It would be like Bill Gates scouring his neighborhood to find a penny that dropped out of his pocket. Are we that important? Somebody thinks so!
I am struck by the phrase “their angels” and the specific, personal way God cares for us. What a great beginning to lent to know that every kid I meet and hang out with has their own angel right there!