Recently, I took my children to the mall for lunch. As we were eating, I noticed a little girl frantically looking for her dad. With tears welling up in her eyes, she called out: “Daddy! Daddy!” There was no sign of him. Suddenly he appeared, and she was visibly relieved. I said to my children, “I’m glad she found her dad!” To which my youngest son replied, “She didn’t find him; he found her.”
Luke wrote about lost people, wandering aimlessly in their sins, who were found by Jesus. This was the case with the chief tax collector, Zacchaeus (Luke 19). He was viewed with disdain by the Jews because he was assisting Rome in burdening the Israelites with heavy taxes, and also because it was likely he had become wealthy by collecting more money than required.
When Jesus entered Jericho, Zacchaeus climbed up into a tree to get a better view of the Savior. Jesus called up to him and said that He must stay at his house (a divine necessity) (v.5). The other people muttered because Jesus was going to stay at the house of a notorious “sinner” (v.7). But Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and repented, and Jesus responded with a summary statement of His mission and purpose on earth: To bring salvation and the kingdom of God to those who are lost (vv.8-10).
God, through Jesus, came looking for us. He went to great lengths to save us, including taking our sins on Himself. He hung on the cross so that we could be dead to sin and live for what is right. He came “to seek and save” us! (v.10). This is good news!
People all around us are lost, and they think nobody cares about them. We have a responsibility to share the good news so that they too can be saved.
More:
• Ezekiel 34:11-16
• John 3:17
• Acts 16:31
Next:
For what lost person is the Holy Spirit prompting you to pray? How can you show your gratitude to God for His pursuit of you?
fluer on November 21, 2009 at 2:16 am
Marvin!
God is a good God indeed 🙂
I have been so discouraged in trying to have fellowship w/other believers and the “church” in general.
I stumbled upon your post about dying to yourself, and the model in which God gives us for a TRUE and loving marriage designed by him, and was elated!
I have continued reading your posts and truly thank the Lord for you! You and the wisdom God has placed in you is beyond refreshing! It is life giving!
Oh, I am so glad that there are Pastors like you that exist.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I pray many blessings over you and your family.
Thank you for your heart that so reflects His.
The G Man on November 21, 2009 at 2:26 am
Its so true Jesus camelooking for the lost.Are we doing what is ask of us to be that Jesus today.Can people see Christ in us.Thank you today for your devotional you hit a home run
fullheart on November 21, 2009 at 9:23 am
Today i prayed that God if you want to take me, take me now. I started to not take a breathe with tears and it did not work. and then I realized that God wants me to live as alive. I said okey God with weak voice.
then i started listen ceremony from my church’s website. I found out that i have many death parts in my heart like scar from boiled water. this death parts were all related with men.
today i had a misunderstanding with one guy, so, i wanted to die.
BUT, God can make alive my death parts and renewed like a full and new heart as Nazareth resurrected from tomb.
when i have finished listened ceremony, i prayed my all my past memories and blessed them. after that, i logged on ODJ and wanted to share with you that He came to me like this post in mids of discourage, pain and sin.
Thank you God. <3 <3 <3
Lightweaver on November 21, 2009 at 11:46 am
I couldn’t agree more. I listened to a religious broadcast (can’t remember whose it was or when) and it was stated that Christ will not return until each and every person on this earth can hear the gospel of Christ and make the decision to accept salvation or not. Because God would have it that all be offered that gift through his grace and mercy.
We never know when we are entertaining angels, nor do we know when we find ourselves in certain circumstances that the Lord has purposed us to be at a precise place with a precise person in order to share truth and given that person the opportunity to know the gift of salvation is available to him/her.
Since only God knows all from beginning to end, and we are not in a position spiritually to second guess God, wouldn’t it seem easier to pray, asking God to lead the way and use us to reach the lost?