One Pursuit. Two Options.
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So, he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15: 1-7
God is after you. I have no doubt in my mind about this truth. He is after your soul. He is after the new life He wants you to have. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10; Genesis 3:15; John 3:16). Ever since the enemy messed with God’s creation of man, and man gave into the enemy, The Lord has been relentless pursuing His creation to be redeemed by Jesus our mighty warrior (Exodus 15:13; Zeph. 3:17; Genesis 3:15).
I constantly see people running from God. In my earlier years of ministry, I would get so frustrated and sinfully annoyed with such behavior. However, now, when I see someone running, I don’t sin in my spirit. I wait with great expectation, knowing the Good Shepherd leaves the 99 to save the one.
Perhaps you find yourself running from God, or completely lost in the saturation of self-inflicted sin. I have wonderful news for you. Jesus is looking for you. He is looking for you, because He wants to bring you in to green pastures of life (Psalm 23), and He wants you to be found in Him.
He is not looking to find you to beat and bruise you for your sin. This does not mean that He won’t have to break you so that you will be bound to Him. Jesus is looking for you. He knows where you are. He is coming after you.
When you meet Him, you have two choices. Run to Him or run away from Him. The decision you make, will determine the rest of your eternity from that point forward. I pray you choose to let Him gently and Messianicly break you. He loves you. He is for you. Follow Him.
Nate Staton 