April 16, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Luke 15:1  Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3  And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4  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? 5  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Are you lost? Are you outside of the fold of God? If you were to die today, are you 100 percent sure you would be in heaven with the Lord?

Our Lord Jesus Christ, is in the business of seeking those who are lost. He is seeking to save that poor soul from sin and the penalty thereof. He is seeking that one lost sheep. Is that one lost sheep you?

Luke 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

In verse 4, we see the Lord searching with all diligence until He found the one lost sheep. Never believe that you are insignificant with God. He definitely cares for you and wants to give you the greatest thing you can ever have, salvation.

His determination to find the one lost sheep is so great that He gave himself, His life, on the cross of calvary to find and save that one lost sheep. Is that one lost sheep you?

Notice, after a relentless search, He finds that one lost sheep and lifts that dear precious one upon His shoulders and rejoices over the fact that the one lost sheep is found. In fact, all of heaven rejoices over the one lost sheep that was found.

Placing that one found sheep on His shoulder is indicative of God’s tender care and love for each and every person.

Do you realize how important your soul is to God? It is so important that God gave His only begotten Son for the one lost sheep.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Yes, God gave His only begotten Son for the world, but to bring it close and personal He lifts the dear precious soul upon His shoulder and rejoices. You are so very important to the Lord. He truly loves you.

As we read verse seven we find another very important truth.

Luke 15:7  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

The allegory is of the lost sheep is closed and the truth is brought clear to the forefront. Every lost person is lovingly and diligently sought for by the Shepard the Lord Jesus. Jesus gave His life on the cross for every lost soul. Every lost soul is offered help and salvation and tenderness and care. But, that lost soul can refuse to be rescued and saved and forgo the rejoicing and remain lost by one decision, repentance.

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook