ESOCS Devotional 17 March 2022
TEXT: Luke 15: 1-10
MEMORY VERSE: “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?” Luke 15:4 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Jesus thought His disciples in parables. In Christian paraphrase, a parable is an earthly story with heavenly meaning. It is a picture story, which teaches us spiritual truths about God and His kingdom, and the right attitude towards life. Our text presents us with two different parables by Jesus to illustrate God’s care for man, forgiveness, thus teaching us of His extraordinary love.
It may seem foolish for a shepherd to leave ninety nine sheep to search for just one. But the shepherd knows the (99) would be safe in the sheepfold; whereas, the lost one is in danger. Because each sheep is of great value, the shepherd will deem it fit to search diligently for the lost one.
Palestinian women received ten silver coins as a wedding gift. In addition to their monetary value, these coins held sentimental value like a wedding ring, and to lose one was extremely distressing.
Having given the background of the two parables, the interpretation and lessons are of primary concern. Jesus was teaching something about God’s relationship with man. God’s love for the individual is so great that He seeks each one out and rejoices when he or she is found. Jesus associated with sinners because He wanted to bring the lost sheep. Before you became a believer, He sought you, and is still seeking those who are still lost (Ezekiel 34:11, 12; 1 Peter 2:25). Just as a woman would rejoice at finding her lost coin or ring, so the angels rejoice over a repentant sinner. Each individual is precious to God. So, we see that God is a loving and searching Father who will never give us up, however bad we are. God’s love is unimaginable (Ephesians 3:19); it is Extraordinary!
- Are there worldly things tempting and you feel like straying from godly way?
- Ask God for the spiritual power to resist and overcome all temptations.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Ezekiel 34:11-16a; John 10:1-11
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ESOCS Devotional 17 March 2022
