LightGrams
October 1, 2020
Volume 24, Number 35
Darren Mayfield is on a mission. He and his wife run an online antiques business (“The Plastic Pendulum”) from their West Virginia home, and he has come across something quite intriguing to him: An approximately 100-year-old photo of a bridal party. Nine women of varying ages are in the photo; the wedding was obviously quite nice.
Mayfield didn’t want to just sell such an heirloom; he’d like to reunite the photo with the family from which it came. But as of last week his attempts to identify that family have proven unsuccessful. He has now turned to social media, and hopes someone will recognize one or more of the women in the picture.
The only clue the photo itself has yielded is the name of the studio. It was a company that did business from 1915 to 1930 in Huntington. Armed with that little bit of information, Mayfield has launched his search.
I enjoy learning facts about my family heritage. I recently upgraded my genealogy software, and have been scouring some of our family’s sites in search of old photos. If this wedding photo were from my family’s past I’d certainly love to have it.
Jesus launched a search about 2,000 years ago, but His was of a more urgent nature. He spoke about it in Luke 15:4: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” He went on to say that when that lost sheep is found the shepherd rejoices as he carries it home on his shoulders.
Sheep are notoriously unable to fend for themselves; they depend upon someone else for guidance, protection, and provision. A sheep separated from its shepherd is in danger. Without someone searching for it, its days will be short.
In John 10:11 Jesus gave that image a personal connection: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” “Gives His life?” That sounds drastic, doesn’t it? But it’s true; Jesus went to the cross of Calvary in order to rescue us, His lost sheep. Hebrews 12:2 further tells us that Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The “joy” which Jesus sought was the rescue of lost sheep.
One such rescue is described in Luke 19:1-9: Zacchaeus, a known sinful man, renounced his sinful ways after a visit with Jesus. In verse 10 Jesus stated, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
If “lost” describes you, just know that the search is on for you. Your good shepherd wants to rescue you. Won’t you let Him?
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2020, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.