The Importance of One

What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine and go after the lost one until he finds it?

Luke 15:4 HCSB

 All of us have lost something, or someone, like losing a child in the grocery store, for instance! Personally I’m good at putting something in a “safe” place so that I can find it again later. But of course I forget where that safe place is and turn the house upside down looking for it! Do I find it? Sometimes . . .

God goes after lost things. In Luke, chapter fifteen, Jesus tells three stories about the lost – a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. Why did Jesus tell these parables? To show us how important we are to God – that He places great value on just “one.”

The shepherd will leave the ninety-nine and go look for that ONE that is lost until he finds it, then joyfully carries him home on his shoulders.

The woman with ten silver coins loses ONE. She turns her house upside down to find it and when she does, she rejoices with her friends.

When the father’s lost son returns, he rejoices over him and celebrates with a feast. He has found that ONE son.

Always looking for that “one” – this is the heart of God! He is not distant but present - waiting to be invited in.

My slightest desire towards Him moves Him with compassion! He whispers how much He loves me and that He did not spare his ONE Son, but gave him up for me! (Romans 8:32).

Father, You always seek the lost! Sometimes that’s me when I hide. Oh how blessed I am that You will go to any length to find me!

Martha