Luke 15:1-7

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around 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 neighbors 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 persons who do not need to repent.

Pondering Point

In this parable you learn about the motive behind Jesus’ choice to interact with ‘sinners’ shunned by others of the religious ilk. When one is a shepherd, sheep matter. Lost sheep matter especially so. Finding a lost sheep is a matter of great rejoicing in the shepherding world! Aren’t you glad that the Lord is your shepherd (and not those pharisees of Luke 15:2)? The parable may be fictional, but the joy in heaven over repentant sinners like you and me is very real. So, a question for us is whether we are rejoicing like the neighbors in the parable or mumbling like the Pharisees who prompted the parable. This parable can be either a rebuke or an inspiration depending on who you are. How are you hearing it?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, once again I pray that You would open our eyes to see people the way You do, and to open our hearts to reach out as You desire, to seek the lost as You desire, and to celebrate the found as You desire. We love You. Help us to love others well also. In Your name I pray. Amen.