DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
OCTOBER 11, 2026
READ: Luke 15 (Focus vs. 3-7)
MEMORY VERSE
“Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:6
BACKGROUND
“I’ve been looking for him all my life.” With tears in his eyes, Bill Cordes spoke those words after being reunited with his younger brother, Robert.
The men hadn’t seen each other for eighty years after being split up when Robert was just four months old due to a troubled family situation. Bill’s granddaughter helped him finally find his baby brother—someone he’d never stopped thinking about or seeking to find.
In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables of people who refused to stop looking for something or someone precious.
In the parable of the lost sheep, He said to the Pharisees who were challenging Him, if a shepherd lost one sheep of his hundred, wouldn’t he “leave the ninety-nine . . . and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (v. 4).
His point? The Pharisees—the “ninety-nine”—thought they were right with God, but they weren’t. And Christ told them, there’s “more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents”—who turns from sin to God’s forgiveness—than for those who don’t think they need to (v. 7).
Our Great Shepherd never stops looking for us, and He’ll never stop (looking for) others as well. When we repent and receive salvation in Christ, there’s great joy in heaven—in God’s heart—because what “was lost . . . is found” (v. 32). And what joy we experience in being found by the one who sought us!
Tom Felten
INSIGHT
In our text, Jesus points to the rejoicing that follows when a sinner “repents” (Luke 15:7). The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible defines repentance as “a change in the whole personality from a sinful course of action to God.” It’s a complete about-face.
This theme of repentance is found throughout the Bible and was especially prominent in the ministries of Christ and John the Baptist. Mark tells us, “John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (1:4).
In fact, John’s very first recorded words were, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus’ ministry began with the very same message (4:17).
It’s imperative that all of us, as sinners, repent: “Unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). The way to salvation is through belief in Christ, who died so we could live (John 3:16).
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
Why should you repent of your sins? How does it encourage you to know that Jesus looks for the lost?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Our Great Shepherd never stops looking for us, and He’ll never stop (looking for) others as well.” Tom Felten
PR’s TAKE
“Lost! Lost! Lost! Better a whole world on fire than a soul lost! Better every star quenched and the skies a wreck than a single soul to be lost!” Charles Spurgeon*
The Church that has lost its passion for the Lost is lost. Pr.
“I would sooner bring one sinner to Jesus Christ than unravel all the mysteries of the divine Word. Charles Spurgeon
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, because You sought me, I can repent of my sins and receive Your salvation.
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“SEEKING THE LOST”
Seeking the lost, yes, kindly entreating
Wanderers on the mountain astray;
“Come unto Me,” His message repeating,
Words of the Master speaking today.
Going afar (going afar)
Upon the mountain (upon the mountain)
Bringing the wanderer back again, back again,
Into the fold (into the fold)
Of my Redeemer (of my Redeemer)
Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain, for sinners slain.
Seeking the lost and pointing to Jesus
Souls that are weak and hearts that are sore,
Leading them forth in ways of salvation,
Showing the path to life evermore.
Going afar (going afar)
Upon the mountain (upon the mountain)
Bringing the wanderer back again, back again,
Into the fold…
Thus would I go on missions of mercy,
Following Christ from day unto day,
Cheering the faint and raising the fallen,
Pointing the lost to Jesus, the Way.
Going afar (going afar)
Upon the mountain (upon the mountain)
Bringing the wanderer back again, back again,
Into the fold (into the fold)
Of my Redeemer (of my Redeemer)
Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain, for sinners slain.
