Do not despise the little ones
I myself will search for my sheep,
And will seek them out. Ezekiel 34:11
Read Matthew 18:10—14
I only need to pause this night and the people Jesus is speaking about will come to mind. I know them. It is he who is directing my mind to them. They are the little ones. Not just little children, but little in my eyes. I can catch myself looking down on them. They are the ones I can forget unless I do deliberately stop to remember and to pray and to connect with them. I have known them as brother and sister, but they have become lost to me and are in danger of being forgotten. I read that in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father. One time in the Gospels this story of the shepherd seeking the lost sheep is the story of Jesus. He is the one on the all-out search.[1] This time it is an invitation for me to be the shepherd, for me to be the one who seeks out the other I so easily forget.
Prayer
Lord, you are the shepherd. You have sought the sheep that was lost, and you found me. With rejoicing you have brought me in, brought me home, brought me to the Father. This night you, I believe, have placed in my heart someone, or more than one, whom I have forgotten. I know they are known to your Father and my Father. I pray for them. I pray for the Holy Spirit to spread the Father’s love abroad in their hearts.[2] And I pray that I may connect with them within the circle of your love. Show me how. Lead me to your way to know them.
[1] Luke 15:3—7
[2] Romans 5:5