JUNE 19, Matthew 18:10-14

Sheep spend most of their days eating grass, sometimes getting into dangerous situations without knowing it. They can wander down steep cliffs and even get lost. When Jesus spoke this parable, everyone understood it well. Sheep are prone to wander and shepherds would go after them. Every day, he would count all his sheep and examine them for any infections or wounds. Every sheep is precious to him. If one goes missing, this shepherd would leave the 99 sheep and go to look for that one lost sheep. There is no hesitation! He knows that when it is alone, it is vulnerable to predators and getting itself hurt. He will not stop looking for it until it is found!

We are rightly described as sheep - we get ourselves into harmful situations and need Jesus, our Good Shepherd to bring us back to safety. Do sinful attractions capture your attention? It could be a sinful addiction to computer games and television shows, or other sinful desires that draw us away from God. For one more minute of sinful indulgence, you risk the harm that it can cause you, and the danger of straying further away from God.

You are precious to Jesus and He knows you intimately and personally. Jesus knows that you are lost in sin and He will keep calling for you. Don’t be lost in sin any longer! Jesus calls out to you today, to turn away from these dangerous sinful attractions, to His arms of safety. As the shepherd rejoices when he has found his sheep, there is great rejoicing when a sinner comes to believe and trust in Him! It is His desire that you do not perish in your sins.

“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.”

(Isaiah 53:6)

Who has God laid the punishment of our sins on?

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Thought: I am so precious to Jesus!

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for reaching out to me while I was lost in sin. Thank you for the Lord Jesus who gave Himself on the cross to save me. Help me to keep close to You and no longer stray away. In Jesus’ name, Amen.