By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

The Lost Sheep

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.”
Luke 15:6b English Standard Version

Have you ever been lost in a freeway maze where you can’t figure out which way to go or how to get there?  This is a common occurrence!

More importantly, are you lost on this journey of life?  Are you struggling to figure out what way to go or how to get there?  Perhaps you have lost your way with God or with others in your life.  Perhaps you are struggling to connect with God’s plan for you or with His love and mercy.  Perhaps you are doubting that there is any way out of the mess of your life or perhaps you don’t believe that God even cares about your lost state.

Jesus told a story about a shepherd who had 100 sheep.  When one of them wandered away and became lost, the shepherd went looking for the lost sheep until he had found it.  And then he laid the lamb on his shoulders and came back rejoicing that the lost sheep was found!

Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He cares about every person no matter how lost they may be. No matter what your sin or your confusion, your shame or guilt, Jesus cares about you.  And He, with a whole universe to govern, has left everything to find you and save you.  He is the shepherd that cared so much about you that He laid down His life for you!

Jesus did not come to try to make bad people better persons.  Jesus came to find the lost and save them, to take those who are dead in their sin and make them alive!  Praise God for the Good Shepherd who has come to bring you home!  Praise God for the Good Shepherd who loves every sheep!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado