The Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost
It’s interesting that sinners were drawn to Jesus, and came to Him to hear His message about the kingdom of God. It says that ALL the publicans and sinners drew near. He had a message that caught their attention, a message they wanted to hear, a message of hope, and it’s still a message of hope for the lost one today.
A Friend of Sinners
Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
In this fifteenth chapter of Luke, Jesus shares several parables, including the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. He tells these stories in response to the indignation of the Pharisees and scribes, who have become upset about His association with sinners, and for even going so far as to eat with them.
Joy in Heaven
Through these parables, Jesus’ message is that there is great joy when something that was lost is found, metaphorically speaking of the heavenly joy that occurs when sinners repent and return to God.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15:3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Jesus is speaking of the loss of men and women to sin. God cares affectionately for even a single soul lost in sin and darkness. Even though He may have ninety-nine “sheep” safely with Him, His heart still longs for the one that’s lost. The Bible says that Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and the Lord is always searching with the hope of saving the lost one who has strayed.
Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
He lifted it onto His shoulders and carried it back to the safety of its home. By itself, it would not have survived. But he rescued it before any predator could harm it, before it could lose its way and get injured, before hunger could weaken it, and before the elements could overtake it.
Rejoice with Me
Luke 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
His friends and neighbors were genuinely thrilled with the man’s good fortune. They gladly celebrated with him over the recovery of his lost sheep. There was a celebration.
Heaven Rejoices Over One Sinner
Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
There is a similar joy and celebration in heaven over one sinner who returns to God, much more than over the ninety-nine who did not need repentance or at least believed they did not need it, as in this particular case.
Remember, Jesus is speaking this parable to the Jewish religious leaders. The Pharisees and scribes saw themselves as righteous and upright, but in truth, they were far from God and in need of deliverance from their sins. At one point Jesus called them whitewashed sepulchers full of dead mens’ bones.
However, despite all this, there were some good men among them, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, whose hearts had been illuminated by the light of the gospel.
Parable of the Lost Coin
Luke 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
Luke 15:9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
This is a story similar to the parable of the man who lost a sheep. In this illustration, a woman has lost one of her ten silver coins, and she lights a candle to increase the light, and she sweeps every inch of her house, and she diligently searches every nook and cranny, so to speak, and keeps at it until she finds her lost coin.
And, like the man who found his sheep, she lets her friends and neighbors know she has found her silver coin, and they all gather together to celebrate her good fortune.
Joy in the Presence of the Angels
Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
The very angels of God rejoice and celebrate together in this same manner over one sinner repenting. Heaven knows about it when it happens, and there is heavenly celebration with great rejoicing and gladness.
Seeking the Lost
This conversation with the Pharisees had begun with their disapproval of Jesus associating with and eating with sinners. However, through these parables, Jesus has conveyed the importance of engaging with and connecting with the lost. And He clearly emphasized that there is intense heavenly joy in their repentance and return to God, making plain the Lord’s heart desire to rescue all people.