...always remember the abiding presence of Christ in you...

“1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 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.

8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” Luke 15:1-10.

When I lived in Africa years ago during the terrible drought and famine of the mid-1980s, the Sukuma, with whom I lived, always loved when I read the agrarian parables of Jesus. They were farmers and shepherds, and they always felt great when these stories of the Bible reflected a Savior who knew their life, especially about growing food and raising animal. Today’s story is no exception. Whenever I read this story, which I frequently did, the Sukuma would always exclaim, “Oh Jesus knows us all so well. He understands our lives!” In Swahili, they said: “Oh Yesu anawajua sisi sote vizuri. Anaelewa maisha yetu!”

Ever since then I have often wondered how many of us feel that way about Jesus. I think these parables above assure us of the fact that Jesus knows us so very well. Jesus understands us. So if you are feeling that God is distant, or silent, or not understanding of you and your life, I hope these parables above bring you great comfort.

Jesus knows each of us and loves us deeply. Never forget that! He is closer to each of us more than we will ever know. God loves you - and never forget that. Today, take some time and give thanks to God for being so close to you. Always believe God is very close to you - because it is true.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

From the Bible:

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” Psalm 145:18.

“4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become[c] my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:4 11.

Note: The text above from John 15:4-11 includes the verb “to abide in.” Years ago when I was studying theology at Boston College, a rabbinic student from the Jewish seminary was in class with me. He spoke us and shared with us that “to abide in” in the Hebrew language, literally means, “to pitch your tent in.” It is a very intimate verb. So when Jesus tells us “to abide in me” He is calling us to “pitch the text of our hearts in Him.” and look how often Jesus assures us that He abides in us! Jesus is so close to us that He “pitches the tent of His heart” in us.