The Book of Luke: Today's chapter
The parable of the lost sheep
Luke 15 (1-32) as told in New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
These three stories told by Jesus are three of the most famous stories he told. They are called "parables", because they contain so much truth that we can apply in our own lives. We are confronted with a problem - Jesus and his followers associated with sinners, tax collectors, undesirable people.
The sort of people that self-righteous people like to avoid. The sort of people that we tell our kids to watch out for. If Jesus was a holy man, he would not associate with such people, the pharisees and leaders said. Wouldn't he? The stories describe three scenarios.
They show us the heart of God for people. They show us the heart of the self-righteous, the judgemental, and critical people. Can you spot yourself in these stories?
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering round 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 neighbours 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 people who do not need to repent.
For your reflection; What kind of person does the lost sheep represent? It needed a good shepherd to follow and it needed boundaries to keep it safe. And yet it became lost, wandering around, doing what sheep do, sniffi ng out food and water. The sheep did not intend to be lost. But lost it became, and it was the responsibility for the shepherd to go and find it. Elsewhere in the bible Jesus calls himself "the Good Shepherd" - he came to live amongst us to save his lost sheep, you and I. As you hear his voice, and follow his ways for your life, you will never be lost again.
The parable of the lost coin
8 'Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins 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 neighbours 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.'
The parable of the lost son
11 Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate." So he divided his property between them.
13 'Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no-one gave him anything.
For your reflection; Here we have the lost son, the Prodigal. He wilfully decided to leave his father's house and ask for his inheritance, and in doing so, he considered his father already. Amazingly his father let him go. There are some people who, like this son, wilfully reject God, his goodness, his home and his provision, and go their own way. Unlike the coin and the sheep, the father lets the son go. The father respects the son's free will, and he leaves him to the consequences of his decisions. But he watches and waits. Are you living like a Prodigal, pushing away those who love you? Are you pushing God away? Are you walking away? Can you relate to this son?
17 'When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants." 20 So he got up and went to his father.
'But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him.
21 'The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
For your reflection; The consequences brought the son to his senses. And so he returned, not expecting to become the son again - just a servant. Finally he realised that he had sinned, and was no longer worthy to be a son. He had abandoned his status, his relationships. But what did his father do?
22 'But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.
For your reflection; Amazingly, the father forgave him, welcomed him, restated him as "son", and held a party. This is how God relates to us, when we repent of our sin, and ask for forgiveness. God grants us compassion, love, forgiveness, and status as his children. Amazing. Have you received this kind of love and forgiveness from God? Now there is another half of the story...
25 'Meanwhile, the elder son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 "Your brother has come," he replied, "and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound."
28 'The elder brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!"
31 ' "My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." '
For your reflection; There were two sons, and two reactions to the Prodigal son returning. Jesus is being very clear to those listening, to the "sinners" and the Pharisees. God reacts to a repentant sinner with love, forgiveness, and belonging. The self-righteous react with anger and separation. They are relying on their own efforts for making themselves right. They are "slaving away" doing what is right. How do you react to bad people,especially when they repent? Do you want them to "do their time", to "work out their penance", to earn their place back in the family? Jesus makes it clear. A sinner only needs to repent, and recognise their true state, to be welcomed back. And the result is a party in heaven for every single person. Is there a party in heaven for you? Who are excluded from the party? Those who exclude themselves, by their heart reaction. Jesus shows us that it is people like the older son, who refuse to go into God's celebration, because they cannot accept the free gift of God's love and forgiveness for themselves or others. They get angry at God, for being God. Where is your heart today? Have you left God's house? We all have in some way. Can we recognise it? Would you come to your senses and return, and ask for forgiveness? Would you get angry and remain outside? Ask God today to show you what your heart really is towards him.
To be continued...
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Other parts in this series:
PART11 - Jesus' teaching on prayer - Luke 11 (1-54) as told in New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
