Daily Readings - Fri Jun 28 2019
Ezekiel
11"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.12As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.13And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country.14I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel.15I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.16I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
Romans
5and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.7For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--8but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.9Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.11More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Luke
3So he told them this parable:4"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?5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'7Just 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.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound theme of God's boundless love and His unwavering commitment to seeking the lost. In Ezekiel, we encounter God as the shepherd who leaves no sheep behind, emphasizing His care and hope for those who have strayed. This prophecy highlights God's promise to gather His scattered people, offering them rest and nourishment on fertile pastures, symbolizing His eternal care.
The Romans passage deepens this message by illustrating the sacrifice of Christ, who died for us while we were still sinners. This unconditional love underscores the depth of God's mercy and the reconciliation He offers. Through Christ's life, we are not only saved from wrath but also brought into a loving relationship with God, a truth that brings us joy and glory.
Luke's parable of the lost sheep personalizes this narrative, showing that each individual is precious to God. The shepherd's joy in finding the lost sheep mirrors the celebration in heaven over one sinner's repentance. This parable encourages us to seek the lost and to find joy in their return, reflecting God's own heart.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embody God's love. We are urged to seek those who are lost, whether through prayer, kindness, or compassion. Let us appreciate the depth of God's love for us and find joy in the opportunity to bring others closer to Him. May we reflect God's heart by being shepherds to one another, celebrating each return to faith with the same joy as heaven itself.