Tag: seek lost
Not of this world!
Scripture reading for April 29: John 17
“But now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is Truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” John 17:13-18
Jesus was sent by His Father into the world that He had made. He came to earth as a man even though He was God’s eternal Son. His mission was to reveal the Father to His lost children and to seek and save them from eternal destruction and give them eternal life by adopting them into God’s family again. The ‘seed’ that would bring new birth and adoption was God’s Word and Jesus brought that Word to the world. His disciples had received Him and His Word and Jesus asked the Father to protect them from the evil one by sanctifying them through His Word of Truth.
Jesus emphasized that His disciples were not of this world. They had been part of the world system, but through believing God’s Word and receiving Jesus as Lord they were now citizens of heaven. They had been sanctified, that is ‘set apart’, for God’s use and family. As the Father had sent Jesus into the world from heaven to seek and save lost people, now Jesus also sent the reborn sons and daughters of God into the world to finish His Work. Jesus in love for His disciples, prayed these truths over them in His last hours here in the world.
Is it comforting to know that Jesus Christ has prayed this prayer for His disciples and for all to come through them? How is your world view of this earth and it’s people changed through Jesus’ prayer? Would you say that you are actively going into this world to complete Jesus’ mission of reaching the lost?
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for answering Your Son’s prayer for us who follow Jesus Christ. We are certainly not of this world and look forward to our eternal home with our heavenly Father and Jesus. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit again this day to empower me to reach the lost with Good News! Amen.
This Man!
Scripture reading for October 25th: Luke 13-15
“Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear Him (Jesus). But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to seek and save the “lost” of this world. No one is really right with God. Sin has come to every man because of Adam (not Eve!). (Romans 5:12-14) But not everyone is ready to recognize and admit that they are “sinners” and “lost”. Satan’s trick of blinding minds through pride and the lies keeps many in bondage. (2nd Corinthians 4:4) Jesus cannot save those who will not willingly come to Him.
When He walked the earth, He sought out people who were open to His message of the Kingdom. It was on one of those occasions that Jesus responded to the muttering of the religious leaders about His hanging around sinners. He told them three parables to help them understand the heart of God for the lost. The first parable was about a man who had a hundred sheep and found out that one of them was missing. He left the main flock to go and search for the lost sheep. When he found that lost sheep, he called friends and neighbors together and celebrated! The moral of this story was that there was joy in heaven over one lost person being restored! (Luke 15:7)
Another parable concerned a woman who had lost one of ten silver coins. She searched diligently in her house until finding it and then invited friends to rejoice with her for her restored savings! The same bottom line is emphasized. (Luke 15:10)
The final parable concerned a man who had two sons. One wanted his inheritance right now. His father gave him the money and he left to squander it on loose living. He got himself into a mess, even needing to eat with pigs to satisfy his hunger! This lost son decided to go back to his father and beg for mercy. The father was watching for his lost son, saw him coming, and ran to meet him. After a brief apology, the father restored this son and threw a party of celebration!
Jesus loves lost people! This “Man” will welcome you back with open arms!