For Unto Us a Child is Born!

Join us as we read through the Gospel of Luke during this Advent Season...
By Cecilia Gibbs, Assistant Principal Rock Solid Christian Academy

Luke 14 and 15

Today we are reading from two chapters: Luke 14 & 15. Jesus performs a miracle on the Sabbath and continues to teach through several parables.
​
I looked up the meaning of the word parable and found this definition: “A parable is a real-life illustration set along side a Biblical truth to give an example. Parables are not fables; Jesus didn't tell fanciful stories with morals. He took real-life situations familiar to all, and used them to illustrate God's truth."
(https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/archives/guzik_david/StudyGuide_Luk/Luk_14.cfm)

Luke relates “illustrations of God’s truth” through several parables in Luke 14 & 15. One of my favorites is the Parable of the Lost Sheep. 

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep. In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” (Luke 15: 4-7 NLT)

Apparently, It isn't strange that a sheep would become lost. I did a little research on sheep and found that these animals have a tendency to wander from their flock. When separated, they continually bleat and are known to run in the opposite direction of where the flock is located. 

Isn’t it comforting to read about the shepherd’s great concern for that one lost sheep? When he finds the sheep, he is overcome with joy, lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. What a beautiful picture this is of how our Lord pursues us when we are lost.

The Christmas season is a special time for gatherings of families and friends. Some may have walked away from God or may have never been saved. My prayer for today is that the Lord would pursue these loved ones and that they would turn their hearts to Him. I also want to pray that we would have hearts of compassion and kindness for others who don’t know Christ. That we would be open for opportunities to share the Gospel as the Lord leads us.

“…In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)