The One!

Many times I am asked why are you there in the Marshall Islands? Why are you and the family so far from home? It is because of the one! Many years ago there was a song called “One is the loneliest number”. Some of you may remember that song. “One” in the world is the loneliest number. However, in the Word of God “one” is the most important number. One is a number that we so many times overlook as we study the Word! We are automatically drawn to ministries or people who talk about sharing the Gospel with thousands or millions of people. We rejoice over this and even send support to those ministries. However, after seeing these great successes many will say “I will never be able to do anything like that!” Let me tell you something, you may not be called to reach huge numbers, but you are called to reach the one!

We must remember the fact that the “ One” true and living God sent His only “One” begotten son. It is the “One” begotten son (Jesus) who came to be the “One” sacrifice so that anyone who calls on His name would be saved. Jesus is the “One” way, the “One” truth, and the “One” life. The “One” and only way to the Father! It is the “One” who gave His life for the world and for you!

We certainly see so many times that Jesus ministered to the one. In John chapter 3 after Jesus had ministered all day, Nicodemus came to see him. He did not turn Nicodemus away and tell him to come back tomorrow. He sat down with him and explained salvation to him. Why, because one, is important to Jesus. In John chapter 4 we see in verses 3 and 4 that He left Galilee and Judea because He must go to Samaria. He travels to the city of Sychar and outside of the city sits down at the well.

As we read, He begins to talk to the one woman that was there. He shares with her salvation, and because of His meeting with her, the entire city comes out to see Him. You see, Jesus traveled to Samaria to meet the one woman who would bring an entire city to meet the One! It was this one encounter that brought change to the city of Sychar. All, because Jesus needed to go to Samaria for the one.

Then, in Luke chapter 15, we see three different parables. For a long time, I had heard messages about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. One morning as I was with the Lord , meditating on those scriptures, the Lord showed me something unique about each parable. In verses 3 through 7 He tells the story of the shepherd who leaves the 99 for go and find the one lost sheep. He goes on to tell us how he rejoiced and told everyone he had found the sheep. Jesus then tells how all of heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. Then the woman who lost the coin, how she searched the house until she found it. She then rejoices and tells everyone that she has found it. Again Jesus says all of heaven rejoices over one who repents.

Finally, in chapter 15 of Luke, the story of the prodigal son who returns to the father. When he returns the father and the whole house rejoices over his return. There is great joy because the one who was dead is alive again. All three of the parables have a common theme, they are all about one lost person. The one lost sinner, the one lost in the house, and the one lost prodigal son. You see all of these ones are important to the Father. We understand the sinner and many understand the prodigal but what about the coin?

We are the bride of Christ and just like this one woman we long to be complete. As long as one is missing, we still have a search to do. In the parable of the woman, notice she searched the house. She used the lamp until she found the lost coin. The lamp represents the Holy Ghost. We need to be led by the Spirit and searched for the lost ones in the house. In every church there are people who are there every service who still need salvation. We must everyday be on the lookout for the one!

All of these three parables focus on the One. What do I want you to see? As long as there is one lost one, one prodigal son or daughter,or one who is calling out in prayer for help, we have a job to do. We are all commissioned to find the one! One day we will all stand before the Lord and give our account to the One! On that day, I believe we will hear Him say one of two things:

1. My good and faithful servant thank you for finding the one!

2. Why did you not go and find the one?

What will Jesus say to you? Be blessed and may you prosper in all that you do as you follow the One, Jesus, and in your search for the One (those who need Him). You can do this because He has given you everything you need to accomplish the mission. You may not reach thousands of people, or be a preacher, but you can reach the “one” that needs Jesus.

Brother Steve