Scripture: Luke 15:1-10
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 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 do not need to repent.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (NIV)
Observation:
Jesus responds to the mutterings of the Pharisees and teachers of the law by sharing three parables about the lost. The first is about a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost. The second is about a woman who, after losing one of her ten coins, turns her house upside down to find it. In both stories, there is a celebration when the lost is found. Similarly, Jesus explains that there is rejoicing in the presence of angels over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:10)
Application:
If there’s a celebration in the presence of angels in heaven, who else would be celebrating but God Himself? This reminds us that helping the lost to be found is a top priority in God’s plan. We should do everything we can to help God rejoice.
Prayer:
O Lord, guide us to celebrate with You as we take part in Your plan of salvation, spreading the Gospel by being faithful witnesses in all we do. Help us to share the grace You have given us by telling our stories of faith to everyone we meet. Amen.