Weekend Devotion — The 99

Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." — Luke 15:3-7

I've always loved this verse because it shows such devotion on our Shepherd's part. Yet recently I've come to look at it in another way. (Don't you love it when God shows you another side?)

Now this may seem obvious, but if you're reading this and know Jesus personally, we're one of those 99. You're probably nodding and saying "duh." Bare with me. The full reality of this just hit me through experience. I don't know about you, but to see someone come to Christ or to even just read about it brings me to tears.

I feel joy. Complete happiness. I want to rejoice.

Now I'm pretty sure that's not just me. I believe that's part of our unity in the Holy Spirit. We, the 99, are rejoicing with heaven over that one lost sheep coming home because of our connection through God's Spirit. Not only that. We remember what it was like to be lost once and what it felt like when Jesus rescued us. How can we not rejoice at the one who's just been found? And saved.

Many of you reading this have a lost sheep who needs to be found. I do. But how wonderful to know that the same Shepherd who found us is seeking our loved one too.

Praying and believing,
Dineen