02
It Only Takes One
John TiltonLuke 15:3-7
Then Jesus told them this parable: “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? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 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.
The scriptures are very simple but true … every person counts. Jesus made it very clear that every salvation counts and every salvation causes rejoicing in heaven. Was Jesus trying to say that the other 99 did not matter or have as much value as the lost sheep? No! What Jesus was saying is that there is and should be an extra ounce and efforts of grace and rejoicing when a person is in need, whether they are a believer or not.
I desire to take the thought a little further, to say that every person counts, even in our reaching out to others, our relationship with them and our care for those in need. Like Jesus states of how the rejoicing will be for the lost sheep. My challenge to myself and others is that those unbelievers we know, are indeed the lost sheep that God has destined and called us to “claim” the in friendship. It only take son that can change and influence the world.
Dear Lord, keep my eyes, arms and heart open to those that may need a touch of a friend, especially knowing that it can only take one to influence another that God’s will and ways will be carried forth.
