Liberate the Lost

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – (Luke 19:10, NIV)

The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them. – (Luke 19:10, ERV)

For the Son of Man came to seek and to liberate the lost. – (Luke 19:10, VOICE)

Jesus came down from heaven to earth to seek out those who were far from God. His sacrifice set us free from the weight of sin and shame and made the way for us to be found in Him. Our salvation is not because of anything we have or have not done, but rather is the goodness and grace of God given to all who trust and believe. Because of Jesus, we have hope both here and now, and for all eternity. May we ever praise and thank the One who set us free, and seek Him to live and love as He has done for us.

If not for Jesus,

we all would be lost;

stuck in sin and shame,

yet He paid the cost.

He came near to us,

and showed us the way;

to live out His love,

throughout each new day.

For as we receive,

what He freely gives;

the weight is lifted,

so in Him, we live.

Live not just today,

but forever more;

eternal future,

with Him we adore.

His loving kindness,

has come set us free;

lost liberated,

our hope guaranteed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to liberate the lost. Thank You that as we seek You, we are found. Thank You that You forgive us and set us free from our sin and shame so that we may walk in Your ways and love as You love us. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to live and love as You intended. Teach us to trust You more so that we forever keep an eternal perspective in all that we say and do. Show us how to love like You in all things and at all times. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for seeking us out and setting us free so that we could come to know and trust You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:1-2

To Be Otherly

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” – (Mark 9:35, NIV)

Jesus sat down and called the twelve apostles to Him. He said, “Whoever wants to be the most important must make others more important than themselves. The must serve everyone else.” – (Mark 9:35, ERV)

He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.” – (Mark 9:35, MSG)

Jesus not only told His disciples how to live, but He modeled it for them continuously. Instead of getting caught up in our own head, we need to look outward and discover how we can help, love and prefer one another as Jesus does for us all. Though Jesus was the Son of God, He came to seek and save the lost, to serve and help and heal, and ultimately, to lay down His life for ours. As we seek the Lord to lead and guide us, He shows us how to love and serve those around us. May we ever keep our eyes, ears and hearts open so that we may serve those around us in love.

We each have been called,

to love each other;

to help, give and serve,

sisters and brothers.

We’re not to promote,

ourselves to the top;

instead, boost others,

so selfishness stops.

For as we choose love,

we begin to see;

through Christ’s loving lens,

that sets people free.

Help us, Lord Jesus,

to be otherly;

so all come to know,

Your love graciously.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to show us what it is to prefer one another in love. Thank You that as we seek You, You show us more and more how to live out Your love. Forgive us for the times that our own selfish ambition or desires have gotten in the way of loving as You intended us to love. Teach us to seek You to lead and guide us in all things. Show us how to love one another in a way that lifts others up. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in loving one another as we lift up, encourage, and build each other up. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. – Romans 12:10

Luke 19 – Seeing, Investing, Entering, and Teaching

Luke 19 begins with the story of Zacchaeus, a short tax collector who had climbed a tree in hope of seeing Jesus as He passed through town. Not only did he see Jesus, but Jesus called out to him and told Zacchaeus that He wanted to spend time with him in his home. All the people began to grumble about Jesus keeping company with a sinner. Zacchaeus, recognizing the magnitude of the moment with Jesus, repented and promised to make right his wrongs. Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:9-10) While He had the crowd’s attention, Jesus told a parable of a man of noble birth and ten of his servants whom he gave each ten minas to invest. The man was appointed king and returned home to see what the servants had done with the money he had given. The first servant had doubled what he had been given and the king celebrated him and gave him charge over ten cities because he had been trustworthy with what he had been given. The second servant had gained five minas in addition to the ten given. He too was recognized for his sound investing, and was given charge over five cities. The last servant mentioned in the parable is one who buried the ten mina in a piece of cloth. Upon the king’s return he retrieved it and took it to him. He told the king that he was afraid of him and that he “takes out what he did not put in and reaps what he did not sow.” The king berated him and asked him why he did not at least put the money on deposit to earn interest. He then took the mina from the fearful servant and gave it to the one who had doubled his money. After that, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem. Jesus sent two of His disciples ahead to collect a colt that had never been ridden to bring to Him. The two found a colt just as Jesus had told them. They placed their cloaks on the colt and Jesus rode on the colt through Jerusalem. The whole crowd of disciples who had gathered began praising God for all that they had seen. There were Pharisees in the crowd that told Jesus to rebuke His disciples. “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (verse 40) As Jesus neared Jerusalem He wept over the city for all that would come. After the procession, Jesus entered the temple courts and cleared out those who were selling, and He said to them, “My house will be a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of robbers.” (verse 46) Each day He continued teaching at the temple. The chief priests, teachers of the law and the leaders were looking for a way to kill Him, but were unable to find a way because everyone listened intently to all that Jesus had to say.

The Lord always sees,

those who feel unseen;

He knows them by name,

in love, intervenes.

Those willing to hear,

are forever changed;

His love overwhelms,

it can’t be contained.

By grace, He trusts us,

to choose do His will;

He grants us wisdom,

to follow, fulfill.

When the time came near,

He entered the town;

celebrated King,

by those who were found.

Then to the temple,

He cleared what was wrong;

and kept on teaching,

all those who belonged.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to save us and to show us how we ought to live. Forgive us for every word, thought, and deed that does not align with Your will. Teach us to walk in Your way and love as You love. Lead us to make Your love tangible to those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and how You love, and seek You to lead us to do likewise. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” – Matthew 21:9