Lost Or Broken

Last night at our men's discipleship group one of the lads brought up the announcement of Christ's birth to the shepherds. It was opposite of most grand announcements of royal births. Usually, they came from the king to his court and nobles and then it would filter down to the least of the kingdom.

God chose to start with the lower class, indeed people not necessarily considered to be invited to such a grand event or even important enough to tell.

Then another spoke of Jesus revealing Himself to Mary Magdalene who had been freed of seven devils. One wondered why He did not just go to the priests to reveal Himself. Indeed, you would think John or him along with Peter and James would be first.

Again, this is Jesus revealing Himself to the least of these. Women would not very respected in those days. She had been possessed and we do not know what kind of lifestyle she had because of that possession. So the least of the least in the eyes of the culture.

Too often we are enamored with celebrity preachers or the highly gifted people in our churches especially if they are wealthy. This is contrary to the Gospel. James warned us about such things. Paul said that God chooses the weak, the base and foolish to be used and the mighty and noble are few among the ranks of the redeemed.

I spoke about John 21 where Jesus recommissioned Peter after his prophesied failure. Indeed, he was commissioned in Luke 22 at the time he was told he would deny Christ. Yet, Peter felt he was done and went fishing even after Jesus told Mary to tell His disciples and Peter knowing Peter would not have responded to just saying the disciples.

Maybe you are feeling that God is not interested in you. You feel like you are lower than whale dung in the Mariana Trench. Indeed, if people could read you heart you think they would turn away in disgust. They might, but He is knows more than them and even you and yet He is still wanting to save you. You may be the least of the least and the worst of the worst, but the angels will rejoice over you when you are saved.

Maybe you blew it and blew it badly and now you feel like all you can do is go back to your old way of life like Peter going back to fishing. Jesus knew where Peter would be fishing that day so that Peter could know he was forgiven and his commission was still in effect. Peter professed a love greater than he had and yet Jesus took what he had and gave the care of the flock to him.

The Spirit and the Bride says, Come to Jesus. Be saved. The announcement of the Messiah paying for your sins came when He arose and ascended to the right hand of God where He will always make intercession for you. Then one day He will return for you or you will be ushered before His presence as a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Broken brother or sister come back to be healed. When you were saved you were given a gift or gifts. They have not been removed. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Your repentance will put you in a place to be used, but He never took them away. Come back and receive healing and power to serve in those gifts.

Micah 7:18  Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

Ephesians 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 

5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.