Christ Church Daily Devotion Oct 28 2023

Jesus tells two parables in Luke Chapter 15, emphasizing the value of just one person to God. The first parable is about a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to find the one that is lost. The second parable is about a woman who searches for a lost coin. Both stories highlight the joy and celebration in heaven when a lost person is found and restored. This reminds us to value and love each person we meet, just as God does. The main message is that God loves and values us, and we should do the same for others. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for October 28, 2023. Today we will be reading from Luke Chapter 15, Verses 1-10. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. 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. Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, Rejoice with me, I have found my lost coin. In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. In this chapter, Luke packages together three stories of that which was lost being found. It is sometimes called the lost and found chapter of the Bible. Be sure and take note of the first two verses where he gives us the reason why Jesus told these stories. As was always the case, Jesus uses scenes and images from everyday life that would connect with his listeners to describe some aspect of the kingdom of God. Every day in that culture and time knew about sheep and coins. As those who seek to share his message with others, this is a reminder to prayerfully and thoughtfully search for what those images are in our culture and time. The focus at the end of each story is on the value of just one person to God and all the inhabitants of heaven. When even one person who has lost their way is found and restored, they celebrate in heaven. I invite you to see at least points of emphasis here. First, be assured that you are valued. God loves you and there is nothing you can do to change that. Second, as representatives of this God, we are to value each person we meet. God loves and values them too and invites us to learn to do so as well. Today's personal worship option. Offer this prayer or one like it in your own words. Shepherd God, thank you for loving and valuing me as one of your own. Help me also be one of your assistant shepherds. In Jesus' name, amen.