Not Too Heavy

Luke 15:5-6a

There was a song that came out when I was teenager called, "Mercy Came Running". The key line in the chorus says, "Mercy came running like a prisoner set free, past all my failures to the point of my need, when the sin that I carried was all I could see, when I could not reach mercy, mercy came running to me." This song has always held a special place in my heart reminding me that no matter far I ran and became entangled in sin, my merciful Savior was never out of reach. Our reading today reminds me of this song. Jesus, answering the Pharisees while also teaching the sinners, describes the joyous moment when the Shepherd is reunited with His lost sheep. Keep in mind, He was searched for it until He found it. But then once the lost sheep is found, the Shepherd joyously puts the sheep on His own shoulders and carries it home. The sheep may have gotten lost on it own, but it is returned home because of the love, grace, and effort of the Shepherd. This is important because it reminds us that no matter what we have done, God is still able to "carry us home". There is no sin, no offense, no action, no word, no motivation, and no deed that we could do that would make us "too heavy" for the Lord to carry home. In fact, notice Jesus describes the feeling the Shepherd has as He undertakes the effort to restore the sheep. It is an act of joyous effort. God's redemption of sinners is not a mistake or an obligation that He must perform. It a gracious act of Joy which ultimately brings us to a place of surrender and worship. Praise God for His act of grace, we wouldn't be brought home without Him. 

Prayer: 
Jesus my Savior, I know I did nothing worthy of causing You to die for me. Thank You Lord for Your gift of grace. Please help me to live a life that is not only worthy of the love You have shown me, but also a beacon of light to my family and friends still lost disconnected from you. 

Reflection: 
Have you had a moment when you knew God was carrying you? 
Do you still feel His leadership in Your life?