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Lost Things In Luke 15
Lost Things In Luke 15
In teaching the parable of the lost coins to a young preschool class, the teacher asked one little girl what the woman who lost the coin did. The girl responded: “She said ‘It is OK, I have nine more.’” Unfortunately, such is a common attitude among adults today – especially concerning spiritual things.
The context of this chapter is seen in the first 2 verses: “Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2). While these religious leaders saw such ‘sinners’ as people to be shunned and avoided, Jesus saw them as people who have strayed away from God and needed to be restored.
What follows are three parables concerning the lost: the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son. In each case the ‘owner’ cared about that which was lost. There never was the attitude that it was OK, I have 9 more, or 99 more, or even 1 son left. That which was lost was important.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Among his people, sometimes, like sheep, some wander off. How should we respond? Are we concerned about their being lost? How do the elders (the shepherds of the flock) respond? How do YOU respond? Do you diligently ‘sweep the floor until’ they are found? Do you go out and search behind every rock and bush until they are found? Do you long for them every day they are gone? Do you rejoice when they are found? Jesus would.
In each parable, there was rejoicing when the lost was found. While we may ignore the lost, God desires their return and rejoices along with the angels when they do return. We should develop the same love for each other, weeping and searching when one is lost, rejoicing when the lost returns.
Unfortunately, we are often like the older brother! Not only did he NOT rejoice at the return of his lost brother, he resented the joy that was expressed! Have you ever thought about those who are lost and said ‘it is OK, I have nine more’?
Hugh DeLong
