THURSDAY, MARCH 1
Luke 15:1-10
Isaiah 53:4-9

“All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way…”

GREAT JOY IN HEAVEN

When the publicans and sinners came to Jesus, the Pharisees and scribes accused Him of receiving sinners. Jesus told them a parable of a shepherd whose sheep had wandered away. The shepherd launched a search and rescue operation, for he knew the sheep was unable to find its way back to the fold. The lost sheep represents a sinner who has wandered away from God. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa 53:6). Jesus expressed here the reason why He left His throne above and came down to earth. He seeks and saves the lost by His active obedience of keeping all the law and passive obedience dying as man’s perfect representative on the cross of Calvary. This parable demonstrated the great joy of the shepherd upon finding the lost sheep. He called his friends and neighbours to rejoice with him. Jesus then described how heaven was filled with joy when a sinner repents and believes in Jesus Christ.

Jesus continued with a related parable of the lost coin. The significance of finding the lost is shown here. The parable described that the total possession of the woman was ten pieces of silver. She lost one out of the ten pieces and sought it not half-heartedly but diligently. When she found the lost coin she rejoiced greatly and called her friends and neighbours. Jesus again declared how there is great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents and believes in Jesus Christ as his Saviour and Lord. Believers are His treasure who He rightly owns. He again showed His passion to bring back the lost by searching for them.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev 22:17). Let us be like our Lord who is willing to go and seek out those who are lost!

THOUGHT: Do I rejoice over the salvation of a sinner?
PRAYER: My Great Shepherd, Thou hast sought me and brought me into Thy fold. I thank Thee for saving me from eternal death.