Luke 15: 4-7
February 23rd 2025, Fourth Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, Pastor
Let us learn from the parable of the lost sheep among the three parables told by Jesus.
The first is that human beings are sheep that have gone astray, and death awaits them ahead. People are given life by God and kept alive, but those who do not believe in God are walking away from Jesus, the Shepherd. If they remain as they are, they will be judged by God after death and must go to hell.
The second is that the Lord is continually searching for the lost. The shepherd did not give up because the lost is only one. He kept searching until he found the one. We were also found and saved by the Lord just like this way. We should help the Lord who is our shepherd.
The third is that there is great joy for him when he finds the sheep. The shepherd called his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him. When a soul is found and saved by the Lord, he, the shepherd, is pleased, and there is joy in heaven. Also, there is joy in those who walk with him. The greatest joy of the church is the salvation of souls.
Let us look again at the unsaved souls around us with the eyes of Jesus. Let us pray and tell them the Gospel without giving up!
<The Word of the Bible>
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
Luke 15: 4 (English Standard Version)
