Have You Opened The Repentance Box?
Good Morning Friends,
Today I am meditating on the paradox of Jesus being both Lamb and Shepherd while reading the parable of Lost Sheep. And I cannot help but think that we too are a paradox of being both alive and dead… of being saints and sinners…of simultaneously being lost and found. So I pray and contemplate Schrodinger’s Cat wondering what scripture might open up and what my life’s choices might open up for me as an answer to the question behind the question. The problem is that I do so hope for a world of utopian unity knowing full well that too many we embrace a reality of dystopia. I do so hope we be more than the walking dead. And so I seek hopeful words in my prayer and I hope the thought creates a contagious compassion in me and captures the heart of a living God. And the joyous part I find is that a lost and abandoned sheep has been found. But moreover I have found that there is power in seeking others out with the Spirit of Jesus so they too will know the joy and choose it over death. Friends, indeed it is a comfort that our Savior seeks us and finds us and comes to us when we need the comfort most. But before this is fully realize something must happen first. We must choose life. We must choose to follow the way. Have You Opened The Repentance Box?
Scripture: I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:14-15 (NRSV)
So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:3-7 (NRSV)
Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:23-26 (NRSV)
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 (NRSV)
Message: We do so have a tendency to wander off seeking an earthly utopia. But it does not exist. What is worse though is a continual focus on dystopia where everything is bad. Dwelling on good thoughts is so much better. That is why when a sinner repents all heaven rejoices. That is why it is such a good thing to seek others out to share the good news. We are to come with no hidden agenda. We are to come moved by the Spirit with urgency, energy and effort. It makes a difference the way we engage others in the search for something greater than ourselves. You see, being alone and lost is one of the worst experiences you can have. When that happens we are often confronted with fear, frustration, fatigue and failure. The beauty is that when we seek out those who need comfort, Jesus in turn will seek us out. So rejoice when Jesus comes searching for you. There is hope here. For here is the opportunity for God to make sinners right in His sight. So repent of your sins and then believe Jesus the Good Shepherd will not only find you but save you as well.
Pray that even though we are sinful we have a heart of repentance. Pray we ask Jesus to help us. Pray that in our struggle we fight against sin. Pray we repent.
Pray thanking God for having a habit of forgiving. Pray because we have hope and wait… believing help is on the way… Pray that we believe God’s provisions are not only sufficient but overflowing in abundance. Pray that we would discover Christ as Christ finds us. Pray thanking God for finding us lost sheep and then leading us to green pastures. Pray we keep our minds on God’s word. Pray we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Pray we are joyous because of Jesus holds us together.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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