Jesus was sent to find lost sheep. Have you ever been lost before? If you did, what were the circumstances? How did the Lord work through the situation you were in?
As a first grader, I remember getting lost at our local community fair. The next thing I remember was a man with a loudspeaker announcing my name. Then my uncle came over and swept me off my feet. I always had a special place in my heart for my mother’s brother after that. It felt good to be rescued.
Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost
Jesus gave us His purpose here on earth. Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” [1] Jesus’ ministry on earth and also today is about seeking and saving those who are lost.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry He encountered a Gentile woman whose daughter was demon possessed. Jesus” response to the woman may surprise you when she asked Him to heal her daughter.
Matthew 15:24 Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.” 25 But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!” [2]
Jesus wasn’t being rude here, but he was explaining His process. Jesus was simply telling the woman that Jews were to have the first opportunity to accept him as the Messiah because God wanted them to present the message of salvation to the rest of the world (see Genesis 12:3).[3]
People have free will and the Jewish people did not full fill the plan the Lord had for them. Jesus was not rejecting this woman but bringing clarification to His ministry His Father had for Him. As the story unfolds Jesus did heal this woman’s daughter.
Jesus is Seeking After the Lost Today
If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, He is seeking after you today! Don’t wait, for today is day of salvation. (Ref. 2 Cor. 6:2.) If you are saved, the Lord wants to use you to reach other people with the Good News of Jesus. God desires to use each of us to build His Kingdom.
Ephesians 4:1Therefore I (Paul), a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.[4]
To hear how Jesus was sent to find lost sheep, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/seeking-the-lord-changes-my-life-a-gentile-woman
[1,2,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] Barton, B. B. (1996). Matthew (p. 309). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.