Scripture: Matthew 18:12-14
Introduction:
Imagine losing something precious—a family heirloom, a cherished keepsake, or even a loved one in a crowded place. The panic and determination you feel to find it reflects, in a small way, the heart of God for the one who is lost. This passage is a testament to God's love, a love so profound that it refuses to give up on anyone. Today, we reflect on the unfailing love of God—a love that values, pursues, and rejoices over the lost.
1. The Love That Notices the One (v. 12)
Jesus begins with a simple but profound question:
"If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?"
This shows us that God's love is personal. He notices when one of us wanders away, even in a world full of people.
In a society that often celebrates numbers and crowds, God’s heart beats for the individual.
Think about a mother at a park with her children. Even with others around, she immediately notices if her child goes missing. Her focus isn’t on the children playing; it’s on finding the one in danger.
God’s love is just like that—it is tender, focused, and unrelenting. He sees you in the crowd.
2. The Love That Pursues the Lost (v. 13)
"And if he should find it, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray."
God's love doesn’t sit still; it moves, seeks, and pursues. It doesn’t wait for the lost to come back. Instead, it goes out to find them.
Sometimes, we may feel unworthy of God’s pursuit—like that lost sheep in the wilderness. But His love isn’t based on our worthiness; it’s based on His nature.
Story: A young man who left home feeling unworthy of his family’s love because of bad choices. Yet, his mother called every day, praying and hoping. Years later, when he returned, he found she had kept his room just as he left it, waiting for his return.
This is the love of God—a Father who chases after us even when we feel lost and undeserving.
3. The Love That Rejoices in Restoration (v. 14)
"Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."
God’s ultimate desire is restoration. Heaven celebrates not when someone is condemned but when they are found.
This is the joy of the Gospel: that no one is too far gone for God’s love.
Imagine the party in heaven when someone returns to God—it’s like a parent finding their lost child, or a friend reuniting with someone they thought they’d never see again.
1. To the Lost:
If you feel distant from God, know this: you are not forgotten. God’s love is chasing after you. You matter to Him more than you can imagine.
2. To the Found:
Are we reflecting God’s love in our lives? Are we actively seeking and welcoming back those who feel lost or excluded?
3. To the Church:
Let us be a community that mirrors God’s unfailing love—a place where the lost are noticed, pursued, and celebrated when they return.
Conclusion
God’s love is a love that notices the one, pursues the lost, and rejoices in restoration. It is a love that refuses to give up, no matter how far we wander. Today, let us embrace this love and share it with others, remembering that every soul is precious in the sight of God.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, we thank You for Your unfailing love—a love that never gives up on us. Help us to rest in this love and reflect it in our lives. Teach us to see others through Your eyes, to pursue them with grace, and to rejoice when they find their way back to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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