ODJ: The One

July 25, 2017 

READ: Luke 15:1-7 

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? (v.4).

The trailer for the epic World War II movie Saving Private Ryan contains these words: “In the last great invasion of the last great war, the greatest challenge for eight men was saving . . . one.” Jesus similarly told a parable about a shepherd who searched for one lost lamb. “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?” (Luke 15:4).

Christ told the story to illustrate how God won’t stop searching until He finds “the one” who’s lost, but I normally don’t see myself as “the one” needing to be found. I’m among those in the fold who think they are doing just fine. I’m the trained counsellor who helps people, armed with the mission as a believer in Jesus to help and serve others who are lost.

But as I recently pondered Jesus’ story, God gently, but firmly, brought to my awareness that I am “the one” who is lost—really lost. I too am profoundly broken and in need of further repentance, grace and healing.

Some of you reading this devotional know you’re “the one”. Past and present circumstances have left you and others lost in a wilderness of hurt and unable to find a way out. I pray that Jesus’ story of a loving God who won’t stop searching until He finds “the one” brings you glimmers of hope.

Others of you, however, are like me. You are “the one”, but you may not realise it—until something painful happens that drives you to your knees (v.7). Even if you are, with fellow believers, on a mission to save others, never fool yourself into thinking you have it all together.

We all are “the one” needing to be carried on Jesus’ loving shoulders (v.5).

—Jeff Olson

365-day plan: Mark 9:38-50

MORE
Read Galatians 6:1-3 and consider the importance of helping other believers in Jesus who are struggling as well as allowing them to help you. 
NEXT
How do you hide the ways in which you are “the one”? With which trusted people in your life can you share how and where you feel as if you’re lost?