12 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:12-14
Well, it’s that time of year again—use-it-or-lose-it vacation season. I took today off and was enjoying the quiet, sipping coffee under a favorite blanket, when my phone rang.
“Come quick, Mom! Lotus is stuck in the rocking chair!”
In the background, I could hear both kids crying.
We’re fortunate to live just 6 or 7 minutes apart, so I threw off my blanket and headed for the door. Just as I put the truck in drive, the phone rang again.
“Mom, I got her out. It’s okay now,” my daughter said, her voice calmer.
“Is she okay?” I asked.
“Yes, she’s fine.”
“This sounds like a Mustard Seed!” I exclaimed.
“Yeah,” she replied, rather flatly.
I giggled and began reminiscing about her and her sister’s many close calls. But she wasn’t in a nostalgic mood. We hung up, and I sat quietly, reflecting.
As I settled back in, heart still racing, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 18. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. His focus is singular: rescue and reunion.
Though my granddaughter wasn’t lost, she was in peril—and her mother could think of nothing but getting her free. When she realized she needed help, she called her own mother.
Are there people in your life who feel lost? Maybe they’re caught in something that feels impossible to escape—addiction, heartbreak, misplaced trust. Maybe they’ve been hurt by the church or wronged by someone they loved. Life has many snares, and each of us, at times, finds ourselves stuck.
But Jesus is here. Willing and more than able to bring freedom. He wants to bring you home.
Back to the fold.
Maybe you’ve been away so long you think you can’t come back. That’s not Jesus speaking—that’s the enemy whispering. You can come home.
Jesus is in the business of redemption and reunion. His work on the cross opened the way for us to return to God. Through Christ, we have access to the very throne room of heaven.
God does not want anyone to face destruction. He loves humanity and offers salvation to all.
If someone in your life feels far from God, pray. Pray with confidence, knowing His will is to bring them back to the fold.
And if you’re reading this and feel like that lost sheep, I encourage you: turn to Jesus. Let Him bring you home.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for never giving up on us. For rushing toward us when we’re stuck, scared, or wandering. Bring the lost home. Heal what’s broken. Amen.
Typist for Jesus
Mustard Seeds, Modern Parables 