Luke 19:10 - [Jesus said] "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Have you ever been lost? I have. Well, I wasn't really lost, but I was misplaced for a while. When I was 12 years old, my parents took us to Michigan's Upper Peninsula where the Black River meets Lake Superior. Once you park, to get to the beach, you cross a rickety bridge over the Black River. After crossing the bridge, the path forks. One way leads to the beach; the other ascends along a cliff to Rainbow Falls.

That day my folks were slow getting out of the car as they were tending to my baby brother Andrew. So, anxious to get moving, I led my brothers, Eric and Matthew, over the bridge to the beach. Once over the bridge—since my parents were tending to Andrew—I took my younger brothers to the falls first. I figured we'd go there, scout out the falls real quick, and be back to the beach in no time.

So off we went. While we were gone, my dad was feverishly looking for us. My mom was calling out our names. As a parent now, I can't imagine what they were going through. But I do know they would have searched until we were found, no matter what. To this day, I can still see my mom's tears and the stern relief on my dad's face when they found us—and his sterner words telling me to never run off like that again. Why—because they loved us and wanted what was best for us.

It's hard to imagine, but there are children all around the world whose parents couldn't care less about them. Amidst that pain, God's people can be those who demonstrate that's there's another way to live, another way to love, to care for those no one else cares about. His love is the kind of love that seeks us out, that finds what was lost, that adopts what was orphaned, that won't stop until we are safe in His loving arms.

I felt that kind of love one day when, as a sinner, I understood God's love. I'm thankful for the love my parents showed me, but I'm even more thankful they made sure I knew the kind of love God has for us in our Lord Jesus Christ. It's the kind of love that is there when life is against you and there is no one you can count on. It's the kind of love that knows when you're completely lost.

Jesus clearly tells us that He does not wait for us to come to Him. He came to earth to seek us, to save us when we've lost our way. Why?

Because that's the way of God's love.

WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending us Jesus, the One who has come to seek and save the lost. In His Name we pray. Amen.

From "A Friend Searches Until You're Found," a devotional message from Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

1. You may remember that horrifying feeling of being lost as a child. Do you recall where you were and how it happened?

2. If Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, is there anyone He's not looking for?

3. When is the last time you gave directions to someone? Where were they going?

Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 47-49    Romans 9:1-15

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