Unclaimed Prize
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped
their ears that they might not hear. Zechariah 7:11
Every once in a while I tell my wife, Pam, that it sure would be nice if we
could win a $50 million dollar Lotto Max as did the individual in Woodbridge,
Ontario.
That's when she points out to me that before we can win Lotto Max we have to buy
a ticket from the Lotto Max. It always disturbs me when Pam gets both practical
and right at the same time.
Still, I guess there's not much difference between not buying a ticket and not
knowing you have the winning ticket. Ignorance may indeed be the condition for
Canada's most recent $50 million winner.
The numbers were publicly announced and ... nothing. Nobody came forward. Nobody
jumped up and down yelling, "It's me! I've got it! I've got it!"
Now it's true, the winner could be consulting his lawyer or quitting his job or
planning to move to Tahiti. But it's just as likely he's oblivious to the fact
he's carrying the winning ticket in his wallet or her purse ... or they've just
thrown it away.
That's a terrible thought, isn't it, to throw away $50 million?
This really takes me to the point of this devotion. Through the bloody sacrifice
of the Savior, because of His third-day resurrection from the dead, all who are
brought to faith in the Christ are forgiven of their sins and guaranteed eternal
life.
In short, they are winners. The Lord has given them riches that would make a
Lotto Max winner feel like he's a pauper.
In contrast to us there are others -- others who should be winners -- but who
aren't. Like the recent Lotto Max winner there are two possibilities for the
situation.
1. The first possibility is they haven't heard; they don't realize Jesus has
given His life for their salvation. These folks remain in ignorance.
2. The second possibility is they've heard and they're just too busy doing other
things, making other plans, and they intend, someday, to get around to believing
... just not right now.
It makes little difference if a person is unsaved because of ignorance or
because salvation is not a high priority -- the end result is the same. They
should have been winners, but they're not.
That's another terrible thought, isn't it, to have eternal life given to you,
but not received by you?
This is why we who already have been blessed need to make use of every
opportunity of pointing people to Jesus -- to tell of the blessings which come
from knowing Him as Lord and Savior.
To tell them Jesus has made them winners.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, on my own I am a failure, a lost sinner. With faith in my
Savior, Jesus, I have been forgiven, adopted and granted eternal life. Now I ask
that, if it be possible, other souls which are lost today may soon be saved. In
Jesus' Name, I pray it. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries
http://www.lhm.org/ all rights reserved; not to be
duplicated without permission.