Tag: Luke 15
Real rejoicing
Scripture reading for March 24: Luke 15
“And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:2-7
Religious people of all ages love to make judgments and comparisons. The Pharisees and scribes of Israel looked down their noses at Jesus because He was eating with ‘sinners’ and receiving them into His band of disciples. They thought it scandalous that He would choose to be with them and ‘contaminate’ Himself. But Jesus, wanting to expand their world view, told them a story to help them understand.
Jesus used a story about lost sheep, something very common in that time and culture of Israel. Sheep had value for meat, milk, and wool for clothes. A lost sheep was something of value worth looking for. It was the shepherd’s job and calling to protect his sheep and rescue them if they got lost, trapped, or wounded by a wild animal. We are not told what happened to this sheep, but only that the shepherd left the flock and searched and found this sheep. He carried the sheep home on his shoulders with joy. Upon arrival, he called his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him. The point of this story came last: Heaven rejoices when one sinner who is lost, repents and returns to the fold! Instead of grumbling, those feeling no need of repentance should at least be rejoicing too.
As you examine your own heart, are there those that you judge to be ‘contaminating’ influences to be avoided? How does Jesus’ parable change your world view and invite you to enter into heaven’s joy? Do you identify with the shepherd or the ninety-nine or the one lost sheep?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You sent Jesus Christ, our Great Shepherd to seek and save the lost. I was found by Him and now want to help Him in reaching lost sheep. Teach me Your ways and lead me to the lost today. Fill my heart with Your love, my mouth with your Word and let rejoicing fill heaven. Amen.
The Careful Search!
Scripture reading for March 24th: Luke 15
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 15:8-10 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Jesus enjoyed being with lost people–in fact all humans are lost! (Romans 3:23) The Pharisees were grumbling about the fact that Jesus was eating with ‘sinners.’ Jesus told three parables to help them and the others understand the heart of God concerning the lost. The first concerned a lost sheep and a shepherd that left the herd and searched for the lost. The second is quoted here: the woman who lost a coin from her savings and searched until she found it. The third story was of a lost son who chose to leave home with his inheritance. In this story, the father waited and watched until the lost son made his way back to ask for grace and forgiveness. In each case, there was great joy when that which was ‘lost’ was ‘found!’
Observations for over-comers: Jesus calls His disciples to learn from these parables the importance of each one that is lost. Careful searching and diligence to watch and wait in prayer and hope must mark the disciples of Jesus! “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
Lost and found!
Scripture reading for March 24th: Luke 15
Jesus loved to tell stories that had practical basis in everyday life but spoke to the spiritual life of individuals as well. We call these ‘parables’. Luke 15 contains three ‘lost and found’ parables that Jesus used to respond to the religious leaders who mocked Him for spending time eating with ‘sinners’.
The first story Jesus told was about a shepherd with 100 sheep. One sheep was lost, so the shepherd left the 99 and searched until he found the lost sheep. He carried the sheep back and called his friends for a celebration! “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who don’t need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)
The next story involved a woman who had ten silver coins and lost one in her house. She searches for the lost coin until it is located and calls her neighbors for a celebration! “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
The last story involved a man with two sons. The younger son asked his father for his share of the inheritance and left home to end up wasting the money. The older son stayed home and worked. When all was lost, the younger son repented and decided to return to his father and ask for mercy. The father saw the boy coming, and was filled with compassion and ran to meet him. His son confessed his sin and asked for mercy. The father restored the boy and called for a feast. “For this son of mine was dead and is now alive again; he was lost and now is found.” (Luke 15:24)