*Luke 15:1-10
Jesus emphasizes God’s joy over finding the lost through parables of a shepherd and a woman searching for a missing treasure.
- Context:
- Jesus is teaching, and tax collectors and sinners gather around to listen.
- The Pharisees and teachers of the law criticize Jesus for welcoming and eating with sinners.
- Parable of the Lost Sheep:
- Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who leaves his flock of ninety-nine sheep to find one that is lost.
- Once he finds the lost sheep, he joyfully places it on his shoulders and returns home.
- He calls his friends and neighbors together to celebrate the recovery of the lost sheep.
- Jesus explains that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.
- Parable of the Lost Coin:
- Jesus shares another story about a woman with ten silver coins who loses one.
- She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and diligently searches until she finds the missing coin.
- Once she recovers it, she invites her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her.
- Jesus emphasizes that there is great joy among the angels over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:1-10 shows us how much God values each of us. In the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, Jesus teaches that God actively seeks out those who are far from Him and rejoices when they return. This reminds us that no one is too lost for God’s love. We can apply this by showing kindness and patience to others, especially those who may feel left out or unworthy. Just as God never gives up on us, we should extend that same love and care to those around us.
Luke 15:1-10 (WEB)
15:1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. 2 The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”3 He told them this parable: 4 “Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? 5 When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.8 “Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’ 10 Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”