by Hillary Krahn Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. -Luke 15:7
My daughter is a big fan of the animated movie series The Trolls which is a series of brightly colored trolls (based on the good luck troll toys that were popular in the 1960s) who sing and dance and go on wild adventures. In the movies, there’s an ogre-like creature called the Bergens who are set on capturing trolls for food. It’s because of the Bergens that we see the trolls going on their first adventure, running and hiding, and building a new town where the Bergens can’t find them. The king troll, King Peppy, is tasked with making sure all the trolls make it through a safe passage to escape the ogres. In the movie his famous line is, “No troll left behind!” Which leads to some very imaginative ways of him helping all the trolls to safety. When we look at our reading from Luke, the first thing that came to my mind was not the usual parable of the shepherd leaving behind the 99 sheep to rescue the 1 lost one, but it was King Peppy shouting, “No troll left behind!” Isn’t that the way we are to be as Christians? Leaving no one person behind on the path to heaven? We know our shepherd, we’re on our path to salvation, making a clean escape, not being eaten up by the sinfulness of the world. We come to church, we repent, and we take part in the sacraments. However, there are those out in the world who do not. They do not repent of their sins, they don’t rest in the safeness of the fold, they’re lost! They’re the troll that’s left behind! Luke tells us that when that one sinner comes to repentance there will be greater joy in heaven than over the 99. Imagine that, we’ve found that last lost soul. Hallelujah!! That leads me to the question, what should we do about it? Our king, King Jesus, has it covered right? Well, yes, but with our help. We have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us, a light that shines in the dark place. We are to go out into the world, sharing the message of salvation with those who don’t know Christ, who haven’t come to repentance. We are to make sure there’s no one left behind when that last day comes! Together, as a church, as the 99, we can help find the one! Prayer: Heavenly Father, we rejoice in the safety you provide us as our shepherd. You have saved us! Help us to continue to approach your altar with repentance. Help us, Lord, to go out with you to find the lost. Use your Spirit to guide us in sharing the Good News of your salvation. Use us to rescue the last lost soul so that we with heaven may rejoice. In Jesus name, Amen.
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About the AuthorsThe authors of this Lenten devotional are all staff members of Zion Lutheran Church & School of Wayside. They have answered the call to preach and teach the good news of salvation to both the young and the old of the school and congregation. This group of believers have a strong faith rooted in the Word. They are all members of the church professing the Christian faith and are excited to share their love of Jesus with you during this season. Archives
January 2025
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