Luke 15

Today's Lenten meditations is on Luke 15, about the lost who is found. God spoke to me through this. In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd went out of the way to find it back. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father welcomed him home not as a servant, but as his son again, his position restored by his father.

Despite having comfort, peace and shelter in his shepherd's/father's arms, the sheep/ son chose to wander away. For the lost sheep, he wandered away into terrain that is unfamiliar and potentially dangerous. There is a reason why he does not know this territory, because his shepherd has not brought him there before, because he knows there is no green grass for his consumption and growth, because he knows danger might be looming around, wolves on the prowl. Unknowingly, the sheep wandered away, perhaps thinking of finding something else that he might delight in, something much better than what his shepherd could give him. I imagined that at the end of the day, he met with trouble and got really hungry. His shepherd found him and brough him back.

For the son, the allure of being free, the allure of the earthly pleasures he can have when he goes out propelled him to leave the comfort of his father's arms. When he had gotten himself into deep trouble, there was reluctance to go back to his father. Finally, when he did, willing to be his father's servant, he welcomed him into the house and restored his position as his beloved son fully.

I see myself both as the lost sheep and the lost son. Suddenly, it seems stupid, I seemed stupid enough to wander away in the first place. Perhaps I did not see it at that time. How great is my Father's love, He welcomed me home, and rejoice happens in Heaven (15:7) when an unworthy sinner like me is found by my Father. The parable of the lost sheep mentioned the shepherd going out to find the sheep. Jesus did not leave me to die in my sins, but chose to redeem my soul by dying on the Cross for me, all for someone so unworthy. Reminds me of Romans 5:6-8, where Jesus died for me, when I was still a sinner.

My personal thought was this: I am amazed by God's love, his unconditional love. Who else can satisfy my soul by the love that He has for me? Who else deserves all of me and more but Him, the One who loves me so much? No one.

As I was pondering on this, I am reminded of His Grace, the grace "that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see." Note the word 'found'. We were lost in our sins, we could not get back on track, but we were found, not that we saved ourselves out of our mess. Indeed, His Grace is sufficient for us. Thank You Lord.

I am thankful to God for this reminder.

Regards,
Yin Ting