A Devotional by Pastor Cesar Castellanos

Today’s Bible Verse

Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.

John 6:21b

Someone is Concerned for You

Do you think Jesus was really that concerned about the fish and the loaves that were left over? No, the Lord was speaking in a figurative way; He was using natural objects in order to teach eternal truths. The Lord took advantage of what they were going through to teach them about the great responsibility that God was placing on their shoulders. The disciples would have to be pastors to all the people who would come to them. They had to be diligent in their labors so that none of the people whom the Father was entrusting to them would be lost.

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. That’s why He taught the parable of the Lost Sheep. The story teaches that when it left the fold it was exposed to the dangers of the world and death. But the shepherd left the 99 other sheep and went to look for the lost one, until he found it. He also taught about a woman who was betrothed. She had to present ten drachmas and if one of them were missing the marriage would be cancelled. The woman lost a drachma. However, in the midst of her anguish and anxiety she diligently looked for it all over her house, and did not rest until she found it. Also we have the parable of the prodigal son who after going away from his father’s house lost everything. Yet, the father never lost hope that some day his son would return. When this happened, the father had a great celebration.

The love of God is so great that He does not want even those despised by society to be lost. The doors of His love are open for anyone who believes in Him. And when you believe, you will know His salvation.

Something to Think About

Claudio Barlow was an American doctor working in China when a new plague broke out over and affected a lot of people. Dr. Barlow could not find anything to fight it. He asked for one of his patients to be taken to the United Sates in order to study and observe the sickness, but his petition was denied because of the fear of spreading the disease. So after gathering lots of data about the disease by observing and treating his patients, he went to the United States to take two vials with germs he had collected. When the ship was arriving at the United States coast, he drank the contents of the two vials. Then, he went to John Hopkins University and committed himself under the hands of his former professors. He gave them the notes he had taken in China and told them this. “I want you to experiment with me. Do whatever you can do, but save my life if it is possible. Somehow find a cure for the people of China.” Fortunately, the doctors were able to find a cure and save him, and thousands more. In a similar way, God was so concerned for us that He did not rest until He found a cure to give us His salvation. It was through His Only Son, even though He never sinned. He identified with us and became genuinely and deeply concerned for sinners. He is our cure.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Shepherd and for all that You have done for me. When I was far away from You, lost in the midst of the things of this world, You came to me. You took me by the hand; You lifted me up and gave me life when I was as good as dead. You exchanged all my sinfulness for your righteousness. You invited me into Your family. I love You, my Lord, Amen.

Declaration

God searched for me and He found me. Then, He transformed me so that I can do the same for other people.

Today’s Bible Reading

• Old Testament: Zephaniah 3; Job 38:22-41
• New Testament: John 20:1-9; Revelation 17