When it comes to prayers for loved ones that don’t know him yet, God is on your side.
SHAUNA: Jesus is always giving some new slant on who he is. Hi, I’m Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope and I love the way Joni describes the character of Jesus.
JONI: He's always giving a new slant on his character, who he is. For instance, in Luke 15, Jesus says this. He says, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety‑nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety‑nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
I love when Jesus says that! I love that portion of scripture because it shows the shepherd in that parable as one happy man! I mean, sure, he loved the 99, but his heart was with that one lost sheep. After searching high and low, he finally finds it, hoists it up on his shoulders carries it home. He calls his friends and neighbors so they can rejoice also with him. And the shepherd had good reason to celebrate. The lost had been found. What a picture of God! Because most people can relate or understand a God who forgives sinners that crawl to him and beg for mercy. People can easily imagine a gruff God who makes rebels grovel in the dirt and plead for forgiveness.
A God like that, we can understand, but a God who actually runs to search for sinners in order to forgive them? A God who urgently seeks out rebels in order to save them? A God who would lay down his life for his enemies? How amazing is that! And it explains why we have a hard time relating to a God like that. We don’t get it; we can't reduce him to our logic. He doesn't fit the standard “God” mold.
But the parable of the lost sheep breaks the mold! After all, leaving ninety‑nine sheep out in an open field is hardly the way to run a successful sheep ranching business. The most likely result of running off to find one lost sheep would be 99 more that get lost, right? But that's the point. Our great God tosses human reasoning to the wind. He breaks the mold. He won't permit us to relate to him through our logic. That our Good Shepherd leaves his large flock so that he will not lose one sinner shows the abundance of his care for that sinner. All I can say, friend, is keep praying for that loved one of yours who doesn't know Christ yet. Gods on your side with those prayers. That he would carry that lost one on his shoulders, once he was found, shows the abundance of his tenderness. This parable shows us how much God cares for the lost one you love.
SHAUNA: And friend, there are other parables that show the same; parables that highlight the Lord’s compassion for the lost. You can hear more of Joni’s wonderful insights and focus on the truth of God’s Word by going to joniradio.org today. There you’ll find a treasure trove of radio programs that will strengthen your faith and embolden your prayer life. And finally, keep praying for that friend or relative who doesn’t know Christ yet. Remember the Holy Spirit is moving on the wings of your prayers. The Shepherd is out there, and he is searching for your lost loved one. Share their name with us when you visit joniradio.org so we can agree with you in prayer!
© Joni and Friends