Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 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
Dear Jesus,
How you love to see people brought home to you by coming to faith in your truth and love. How you long for each lost soul to realize they are lost and recognize you have come to rescue them. Teach me the supernatural value of every human soul so I stop smugly judging people and instead I reach out to them with truth and love. I want to rejoice with you over their return to grace like you and your angels. The lingering disappointment I have with their failures and mine often hampers me from joining the heavenly party. Oh Jesus, make me a champion of grace and not law.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
It's hard to judge people that you long to see in heaven with you.