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Scripture for the day: Matthew 18:11-13 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, that he rejoices more over the sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
Thought for the day: I was thinking about this idea of being lost and the whole concept has to be one of the saddest I can think of, and yet, in this passage of scripture, Jesus is talking not about those wandering helplessly in the world with no idea of their lost estate. He is speaking of one who knew the way and, for whatever reason, wandered away from the rest of the flock. There are a number of ways to look at this.
First, there is lost love. In his letters to the churches in Revelation, the Savior admonishes them to return to their “first love.” Again, the admonition is to the churches, not the world. It’s a sad day when a person decides he or she no longer loves the one to whom they’ve been married for however many years. It’s even sadder when the church, through neglect, no longer loves the head of the church. You can always tell when that’s happened, either in a marriage or in a church. There is bickering, fault finding, and complaining, all of which lead to defeat unless the love is restored. The only remedy is repentance and restoration.
Second, there is lost opportunities. We’ve all had them, haven’t we? “I should have said…” “I wish I’d done….” “Why didn’t I …?” We have had those lost opportunities in business, in health matters and in our own families. Perhaps some of the worst are opportunities we’ve had to witness, to help some hurting individual or to win souls to Christ.
Third, there are lost souls. “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Loss of finances can be devastating; loss of health may be even worse, and we put great store in both of those aspects of our lives. But for one to lose his or her very soul is infinitely more disastrous. What is the price of a single soul? How much value do we put upon it? I can tell you; the value of a soul is the blood of a Savior. “For God so loved the word (and every individual in that world) that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe on him would not perish but have everlasting life.” Peter reminds us once again to, “make your election sure.”
Finally, there is lost time. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (Jeremiah 8:20). What a sad statement! What a tragic commentary on a wasted life to have someone lie on their deathbed and repeat those words. When time has run out, it is too late for the soul that is lost, which should make each of us all the more cognizant of the need to redeem the time we have been given.
Church, wake up! Time has been lost, souls have been lost, opportunities have been lost, and in too many cases, love has been lost in the rush of life. But the good news is that until time itself has run its course, it’s not too late. There is still time to reach that lost sister or brother. There is still time to recover that lost sheep. There is still an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with those who need it most. But now is the time; we are only assured of the now. Now is the day of salvation. How will you use your now?
NOW go take on your world. - Bill