THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)
DATE: SUNDAY, 5TH MARCH, 2023 (SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT)
TOPIC: THE WORTH OF A SOUL
TEXT: LUKE 15: 1-10
1. Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.
2. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."
3. So He spoke this parable to them, saying:
4. "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
5. "And when he has found [it,] he lays [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6. "And when he comes home, he calls together [his] friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
7. "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
8. " Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds [it?]
9. "And when she has found [it,] she calls [her] friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'
10. "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
MESSAGE:
In life, many prized possessions exist such as certificates, employment papers, foreign passports, ATM cards, high denominations of money, title deeds etc, When such things get lost, all methods are employed to find them because of their value. The Shepherd in the Parable of the lost sheep left behind 99 sheep who were probably more mature and could stay on their own, risked his life until he found the lost sheep. He laid it on his shoulder, rejoiced and called for celebration. Likewise, the woman lost a piece of silver out of ten pieces; made a diligent search until she found it.
These parables in our text depicts the commitment of the Lord in seeking and saving even one lost soul . It is God's will to have all men saved (1 Tim.2: 4). Souls are very important to God. The worth of a soul is so valuable that Jesus left His glories in heaven, came down on earth and sacrificed His life at Calvary to save man. The angels also rejoice greatly when just one soul repents and comes back to God (Luke 15: 7). Likewise Christians should be greatly committed towards helping sinners and backsliders to come back to God. Are you committed like Jesus to give such people your time, visitation, passionate prayers, tender care and love to bring them back to God?
PRAYER:
Lord, please open my eyes to the worth of a soul. Give me a compassionate heart and commitment towards soul winning in Jesus name. Amen.
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