«The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost» (Luke 19:10).
WHAT MORE COULD FREDDIE’S PARENTS DO? They had already tried everything to save their son from a world of crime. What resources could they use to deliver him from that irresistible compulsion to steal? Mark Finley, a renowned author and international speaker tells the following story:
Freddie was only ten years old and was already known for stealing from local stores. Meanwhile, his desperate parents had tried every possible option—punishment, bribes, rewards, psychologists—all to no avail. Then they learned that Miss Shaw, an elderly woman, might be able to help. It was said that this kindly woman had a wise way of dealing with problematic young people. So they spoke with her, and she agreed to help them.
Freddie begrudgingly agreed to visit the elderly woman. When he knocked on her door, the first thing he saw was Mrs. Shaw’s sweet face.
«Freddie! I’m so glad you’re here!» she said lovingly. «Could you please go to the post office for me with this one hundred dollar bill and ask them to exchange it for smaller bills?»
Freddie could not believe his ears. Without having met him before, this woman was placing a one hundred dollar bill in his hands! No one had ever trusted him before. So without wasting any time, he hurried off to run the errand. He was back within fifteen minutes, his face beaming with joy as he held the money in his hands. Not a single bill was missing!
Finley says that the elderly woman’s trust in Freddie was decisive in his transformation. He gave up petty theft, accepted Christ as his Savior and led others to the feet of Jesus.
Should we be surprised by what happened in Freddie’s life? Let’s answer with another question: Why did so called «sinners» feel so good in Jesus’s presence? Because, as Ellen G. White affirms, «In every human being [Christ] discerned infinite possibilities. «—Education, ch. 8, p. 80. In other words, He saw possibilities of redemption, regardless of how low a sinner had fallen. This means that, instead of seeing what sinners were at that moment, Jesus saw what they could become when transformed by His grace. That’s why He not only earned their trust, but their hearts as well. That’s why He was also called a «friend of sinners» (Luke 7:34).
Now comes the most important question: Wasn’t it precisely the possibilities that Jesus saw in you and me? Before we sought Him, He sought us; before we loved Him, He loved us; before we accepted Him, he accepted us. Isn’t that wonderful?
Thank You, dear Jesus, for seeing in me what no one else ever saw. The possibility of redemption!
#AdultsDevotional
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators:Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
