Luke 15 contains three popular parables (the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son) with the Prodigal Son being the most familiar parable of Jesus. But what makes these parables probably the most known? Is it because we are grateful Jesus searches for us if we are lost? That those we love who are lost–Jesus is still searching for them?
All those reasons are possible. But I think there may be some other reasons that jump out at us when we read and study these parables. Let’s look specifically at the 1st parable in Luke 15–The Lost Sheep.
The Lost Sheep
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘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? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 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.” Luke 15:1-7(NIV)
Imagine you are a shepherd and you have 100 sheep. You’re in the wilderness–a rough and scary place. It is your job to protect those sheep against predators and other threats found in the wilderness. Now imagine one of those 100 go missing. What would you do? Leave the 99 to find the one lost sheep? Or cut your losses and make sure the 99 are safe?
Jesus tells this parable in such a way that is appropriate for the shepherd to go search for the one lost sheep. But is it really the best thing to do? I think most people wouldn’t agree. I think most people would think: What does it matter about a 1% loss compared to the risk of leaving the 99?
The reason for these parables in Luke 15 is found in verses 1-2. The Pharisees and other religious leaders are shocked that Jesus is associating with known sinners–people who obviously are not concerned about pleasing God. So, why is Jesus spending time with people who don’t seem to have any interest in spiritual things? Wouldn’t it be better to cut His losses and encourage and help the 99 who are focused on trying to obey God? Why leave the 99 to pursue the one who is lost?
To answer those questions, Jesus tells this parable about the Lost Sheep. It is also about the reality that we are all sinners. We are all lost sheep. We all need to be found by Jesus.
Who Are The Lost Sheep?
“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.” Luke 15:7 (NIV)
Who needs no repentance? Who is completely without sin? The Pharisees knew that answer–exactly zero. There is no purely righteous person. We have all fallen short: The Pharisees, the religious leaders, the sinners, and each of us.
We are lost. The Bible is pretty clear about that reality: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6 (NIV) We have all gone astray. We are all the one lost sheep. We chase the temptation of that clump of grass that looks a little greener. We leave the flock. We go astray. That’s what sheep do. That’s what we do. None of us are the 99. We are all the one lost sheep.
“And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders.” Luke 15:5 (NIV) What a picture of grace! There are no harsh words. There is simply a Shepherd who rejoices because He has found His lost sheep. This reality helps us be grateful for the amazing grace we have received, and that helps us not judge the “sinners”. Because we know that without Jesus, we would all be lost.
A Closing Thought
Heaven rejoices when one sinner repents–changes their mind, goes the other direction. That sinner might be you. And it might be me. And if you aren’t today, then tomorrow. If you have followed Jesus, you have been placed on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd and carried home. And then we have a mission–to let others know how beloved they are to God.
