14/02/08

You are valuable to Jesus

Ephesians 2:10 - Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

Did you ever lose something important? The coins were drachmas; a day's hard labor was required to earn each one of them. Multiply by 10 what you make in a day to get some idea of the value. But remember that the lady belongs to a poor family - and saving 10 days wages was difficult. I know many poor people whose struggle each day to earn enough to feed their family for that day alone - no savings accounts, no luxuries, no vacations - there is typically no money to spare and none left over after the absolute necessities are acquired. On days of illness or injury there is not enough even to buy bread for that day - they simply go hungry - and this happens to millions every day.

Isn't God amazing? He considers each of us valuable - Jesus pictures himself not as the rich King who can afford a big loss, but as a poor woman searching diligently until she finds her lost coin. Wouldn't it be terrible if God said, "forget about that fellow, he's not worth the effort to search." God is cast in scripture as the seeker and in another setting Jesus said, "So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost." (Mt 18:14)


[ Prayer for the Day ]

Father, we have failed utterly to know your heart when we do not deeply care for the lost. May we value each person in the same way you do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]

Luke 15:8
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)