The Word of God
Jesus said to his disciples: "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."
Matthew 18:12-14
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus gives us an image here of God as shepherd which is an image that everyone can relate to. In this parable Jesus is telling us of the infinite love that God has for each of us and how God will seek us out when we need Him most.
- It’s always humbling to think of God rejoicing over the one that was lost and then found. Every single person matters and is loved infinitely in the eyes of God.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Have you ever been physically lost or have you lost your child or loved one for a time? The feelings that usually arise are ones of anxiety, fear and separtation. We often do not realise the secuity, comfort and safety we experience so much of the time, until we are lost. Let us take a moment to bring to mind those who provide this safety for us in our lives.
- Jesus, the good shepherd, constantly offers this to us in our spiritual lives and seeks us out when we are unaware of his invitation of security, comfort and safety. When we are lost he actively looks for us and carrys us back, if we allow him do so.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- This little parable tells us something about God, that he is always looking for us, no matter how far we turn away.
- It also tells us something about ourselves, that no matter how far away from God we may feel ourselves to be, or how difficult things may get for us, we only have to turn to God and he will look after us.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Leaving the ninety-nine to go after the stray is Jesus’s way of stressing that the people he wants to meet are sinners, because we are all sinners. Everyone of us is that one.
- Jesus rejoices when we turn back, and so do we. Real Christian joy is the joy of the forgiven sinner.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The saviour/shepherd king, is compassion and mercy itself. No one of the persons in his care is just a statistic – his heart is wrung and totally preoccupied if even one individual goes missing. He is the shepherd who will not rest until he has found the stray.
- But he is also a shepherd with resources of strength and power behind him - his arm subdues all things, Isaiah reminds us; and he is ever victorious.
- The ‘expected of the ages’, then, is awaited by us with awareness both of our own weakness and of his great might.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Let us never grow accustomed to this parable. It is the most astonishing suggestion you could imagine. Modern business would focus on the 99, well behaved and conformist. Jesus turns our eyes to that bit of ourselves that wants to do our own thing, go our own way, even when it is self-destructive. As parents have learned with heartbreak, it is only love that will save the lost sheep.
- I cling to that last assurance: “It is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should be lost.”
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Do I believe in the value of one? If each Christian helped even one person at a time, the world would be changed. But do I sometimes ignore both the ninety-nine – and also the one?
- If it is God’s desire that none of the ‘little ones’ should be lost, that must be the desire of my heart also. To what ‘little one’ can I reach out today?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- If I were the only person in the world needing salvation, Jesus would still die for me. Does it thrill me or terrify me? Why?
- Jesus is telling us very clearly that every life is precious in his eyes. Every person I meet is invaluable and irreplaceable. Jesus turns conventional attitudes upside down: the ‘little ones’, the people whom the world does not rate as important, are the most precious of all. Will my attitudes today reflect this?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Every gospel tells us something about God. Here I learn that God has a particular care for everyone, especially for those who have gone astray. This is a comfort to me because I often lose my way in life. God is watching out for me always.
- I ask the Lord that I too may care for the ‘little ones’ – those who are vulnerable and cannot cope with life’s demands.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus is the shepherd whose heart goes after the one who is lost. When I feel forlorn or lost, I have a special place in Jesus' heart. I allow myself to feel vulnerable, to be cherished, sought and found.
- I may sometimes want to have everything squared away and orderly. It may be that I want to rely more on myself than on Jesus. Being in need is not demeaning when I am closer to the heart of Jesus.