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HAT man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7)
The measured worth of a single soul cannot be overestimated in the economy of God. Had there been only ONE soul to redeem, our LORD’s fervor would not have been diminished in that soul’s redemption.
In Biblical numerology, the number, ONE, is of profound importance. To begin with, there is only ONE God who exists in the Trinity of Persons – Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Each in their individual expressions are ONE – one in purpose and one with the other members of the Triune Godhead. Jesus Christ in ONE with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is the ONE who did for our redemption. If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. That ONE who rose from the dead is our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6) From these verses it is easy to discern the importance that God places upon the numeral, ONE!
ONE symbolizes the unity of the righteous with the Will of the Godhead. If we are true to our faith, we are ONE with God in all ways – ONE with the Lord, ONE with the Spirit, and One with the Father. We are made ONE in unity of purpose, faith, worship, and belief because we have surrendered our self-wills and taken upon us His Holy will.
Does the Shepherd harbor an inordinate love for the one sheep to the exclusion of the others? Not at all, but He most is concerned for the ONE that has gone astray. A father and mother must love each child with equal fervor, but if one child goes unexpectedly missing from the home, that child occupies the greatest focus of love and concern at that moment. The parents do not divide love between the children, but love all alike.
One point worth emphasizing – the shepherd does not desert the ninety and nine in the wilderness. He leaves them secure in the fold and goes out into the dark mountains seeking the lost lamb. That lamb bleats just as the wayward Christian prays when separated from His Lord.
Our Lord did not die for the masses, but for the individuals who are led to receive Him as Lord and Savior, even the one lamb. We all will face the Lord Jesus Christ at the close of time – but we do so one at a time. Just as the Woman taken in Adultery, we are left alone with Christ face-to-face. Our Accusers will not be present – in the Adversary of our Souls (the Devil) will already have been cast into the lake of fire. Please note the sequence of events at the last day: 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10-15)
Our Lord died ALONE on the cross just as we must come alone before Him at the last day. Remember the testimony of Caiaphas, the High Priest, concerning the ONE to be sacrificed for the people of God: 47¶Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. (John 11:47-52)
Are you ONE?
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