Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Lenten Devotional...April 9

“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.”
(Psalm 119:176)
 
Jesus told a wonderful parable about a shepherd tending a flock of sheep.  Ninety-nine of the one-hundred sheep were accounted for.  Now, by today’s standards, a 99% success rate would be considered quite successful, but for this shepherd, losing even one lamb was unacceptable. So the shepherd left the ninety-nine and went out to find the one lost sheep…risking everything to redeem the one.
 
It’s a great story because we often see ourselves as the one.  The Psalmist surely saw himself as a wanderer in need of redemption.  He also believed that God would search for him; that God would seek him out in the wilderness of his sin.
 
The cross reminds us that God has sought the sinner and brought redemption through Jesus, the Christ.  Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  Have you strayed away?  Remember, the Good Shepherd is ever seeking the one…you.
 
Prayer: Gentle Shepherd, thank you for seeking a wanderer like me. Amen.
 

Jim Abernathy

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