LORD Jesus,

 

You went to the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing what was coming, to commune with the Father. We know in our world, even in our own lives, there is pain and suffering. When we mourn, you are the one to whom we can turn for comfort and hope. You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit [Psalm 34: 18]. My flesh and my heart may fail, but [you] are the strength of my heart and my portion forever [Psalm 73: 26]. You spoke with the Apostle John and assure us that in the new heaven and earth, you will wipe every tear from our eyes, and that there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain [Revelation 21: 4].

 

To come to faith, we must experience godly sorrow, recognizing that you are holy and that we are sinners. It is this godly sorrow that leads us to repentance [2 Corinthians 7: 10] -- that opens us to being born again. We enter the kingdom of God when we are born of the Spirit [John 3: 5].

 

You told a parable [Luke 15: 3-7] of how a shepherd left 99 sheep to search for the one that was lost. Scripture says in Isaiah 53: 6a, and our hearts confirm it, we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us turned to our own way. The path we had chosen was destined to lead to our destruction. But in our lost condition, we see your holiness and goodness and recognize our own sinful state. And in our godly sorrow, we are brought to repentance; it is repentance that leads us to salvation [2 Corinthians 7: 10a]. Jesus, you spoke [Matthew 4: 17] urging us to repent because you were bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth. You are the one on whom the iniquity of us all was laid [Isaiah 53: 6b].

 

You are continuing to seek the lost. Thank you for seeking and finding each of us. Thank you for providing a way out of the sin that so easily entangles us [see Hebrews 12: 1]. The Apostle John recorded much that you taught your disciples. You [John 16: 33] assured them and us that your words would give us peace. You also warned us that in this world we will have trouble but encouraged us: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 

We can take heart, LORD. Through repentance, we have been able to confess with our mouths that you are Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised you from the dead and have been saved [Romans 10: 9]. In joy and thanksgiving, we seek to follow the words in Ephesians 5: 1-2a: “Be imitators of God…as dearly loved children and live a life of love….” You are worthy of our devoted imitation. Like you, we are to share in word and deed about the incredible gift you have given to us, the gift that you freely offer to those who are still lost. Help me to boldly proclaim you as our Lord and Savior. May your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In your great name, Jesus, we pray. AMEN.