The history of God’s people, under their various kings, is like a
rollercoaster. There are high-points - “They would be the Lord’s
people” (2 Kings 11:17). These high-points are often followed by
low-points - “Joash did what the Lord considered right ...but the
illegal places of worship weren’t torn down” (2 Kings 12:2-3). The reign
of Jehoahaz was one of decline - “He did what the Lord considered
evil” (2 Kings 13:2). The decline continued under the reign of Jehoash -
“He did what the Lord considered evil” (2 Kings 13:11). Despite all
the sins of the kings, there was still hope. This hope did not come
from the kings. It came from the Lord: “The Lord was kind and merciful
to the Israelites because of His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob”
(2 Kings 13:23).
"The Son of Man came to save the lost" (Matthew 18:11). In Matthew 18:12-13, Jesus speaks about sheep. He's really speaking about us. He is the Shepherd. We are His sheep. Sheep wander away from the shepherd. We wander away from the Lord. The shepherd looks for the lost sheep. Jesus has come to seek for us and find us. He brings us home to God, our Father. Through His saving grace, we receive new life - a life in which we rejoice in our great Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He delivers us from the condemnation, which our sin has brought upon us. He brings us into the knowledge of His forgiveness. This Gospel of salvation changes us. It teaches us to live in the power of God's love. Jesus speaks about "the Kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:12,23), "the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:14,24) and "eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). Jesus' way of thinking and living is so very different from the world's way of thinking and living. He chall...
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