The One Who Found Me



1 Peter 2:13-16; 21-25
13Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to Him who judges justly. 24He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see
John Newton - 1779

These most famous words were written by John Newton in 1779. Newton was an Anglican Pastor at the time he wrote this song but had spent many years prior to his Christian conversion as the captain of a slave ship. If anyone had something to repent of, it was John Newton. The first verse of Amazing Grace tells it in a straightforward manner. I once was lost, but now I’m found. He knew that had Jesus not come to find him, he would still be lost.

Peter points us in the same direction. He paints a picture of Jesus surrendering to the tortures of the Cross because He had a goal in mind – our salvation from sin. God’s holiness demanded reparation for the sin we bring into the world every day. The cost of that sin was the shedding of innocent blood and death – the spilt blood and death of Jesus. But Peter says it best when he describes us – we are like sheep, wandering off at the slightest inclination.

But the inclination of the Savior is to pursue His beloved children. Even though we want to wander, He will go after us. The wounds He suffered on the cross have made us fit to be in the presence of the Lord and that which was lost is now found.

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