The God Who Seeks and Saves

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

Luke 19:10

Scripture Reading: Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus never expected to be noticed by Jesus. As a tax collector, he was an outcast, despised by his own people. He climbed a sycamore tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus passing by. But Jesus saw him, called his name, and invited Himself into Zacchaeus’s life:

“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5, ESV)

Jesus did not wait for Zacchaeus to find his way back. He sought him out, called him by name, and restored him.

Lent is a season of returning, but before we even turn, Jesus has already been searching for us. Luke 19:10 echoes the truth of Psalm 139:7-10 —there is nowhere we can go that is beyond God’s reach. No matter how lost we feel, Jesus is already near, seeking us, calling us by name.

Like Zacchaeus, we may hide—behind distractions, shame, or the fear that we are unworthy of His attention. But Jesus looks up into our lives, into our hearts, and says, “Come down. I must be with you today.” He does not wait for us to be perfect. He meets us where we are.

Lent is an invitation to stop running, stop hiding, and welcome Him. As Zacchaeus responded with joy and transformation, so too are we called to step down from our hiding places and walk in the light of His grace.

Prayer

Lord, we confess that we have hidden from You—out of fear, shame, or distraction. But You never stop seeking us. You call our names and invite Yourself into our lives, not to condemn but to restore. In this Lenten season, help us to respond with joy, surrender, and trust. Thank You for seeking and saving us. Amen.

Found by Grace

 

Jesus’ Parable of True Freedom

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36 

Lent is a time to reflect on our need for redemption, our longing for freedom, and the depths of God’s mercy. Many of us live as though we are still in bondage—trapped by fear, burdened by guilt, or striving to earn God’s love. But Jesus came to set us free, and He illustrated this freedom in the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3–7).

In the story, a shepherd has one hundred sheep, but when one goes missing, he leaves the ninety-nine to search for the lost one. This may seem reckless to some, but Jesus is showing us the relentless love of God. The lost sheep does not find its way back—the shepherd seeks it out, lifts it onto his shoulders, and carries it home rejoicing.

This parable reminds us that true freedom does not come from our efforts but from being found by Christ. We do not have to struggle to prove our worth or find our way back on our own. The Good Shepherd seeks us in our wandering, lifts us from our burdens, and brings us into His embrace.

How often do we still live as though we are lost? We carry the weight of past mistakes, the shame of failure, or the anxiety of not being enough. But Jesus invites us to let go: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). This Lenten season, we are called to embrace the reality that we are no longer lost. We are no longer bound. Jesus has set us free—free to live, love, and walk in peace.

A Lenten Challenge:

Where do you need to embrace the freedom Christ offers? Are you still holding onto fear, guilt, or self-righteousness? This week, meditate on Luke 15:3-7 and ask God to help you live in the fullness of His grace.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the freedom You bring. Help me to live in the fullness of Your salvation, free from fear, sin, and death. Guide my feet into the path of peace this Lenten season. Amen.