The Lost Can Be Found: Luke 15:1-32

In Luke 15, Jesus shared three parables: The Parable of the Lost Sheep, The Parable of the Lost Coin, and The Parable of the Lost Son. All three have a common theme: Something lost and found. The parable of the lost sheep, however, speaks more about the person identified as the shepherd than the lost sheep. Jesus compelled his listeners to put themselves in the shoes of the shepherd. He did this because some of those present were Pharisees and teachers of the law who had excluded others. Then he expressed how joyful it is in heaven when one sinner out of the many repents.

 Yet, without taking the focus away from our Lord as our Shepherd, let me ask this question: suppose one of your family members, friends, or neighbours went astray, will it be of any importance to you that such person be restored unto the Lord? How far are you willing to go to win back that soul for the Lord? As Jesus asked: “doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?”

 


As for the lost sheep, the pursuit did not end after a few meagre searches. It continued until the sheep was found. This parable emphasized the importance of repentance, but also God's love for those who are lost. As labourers with the Lord, we too should take this aspect of our lives as Christ's ambassadors seriously. Your eternity may be secured, but how about those you interact with at home, at work, at school, and at play?

The parable of the lost coin gave a description of a woman back in the Ancient Near Eastern times when people lived in houses with no windows and a dirt floor. The colour of the coin probably resembles the dirt floor. The lost coin (a day's wages) was of great value to the woman. So, she retrieved her lamp and meticulously searched the ground until she found her precious possession. Then she called friends and celebrated. In this parable, Jesus also contrasted the importance of finding the coin to a sinner's repentance.

In the parable of the lost son, Jesus shared truths about the Father as well as about us. At some point in life, you and I may have become the lost son, or the brother, or the servants at the father's house. How many times have we sought blessings from the Lord only to use them to fund our vain desires? How many times have we witnessed someone return to the Lord and receive tremendous blessings that stirred up envy, anger, or bitterness in our own hearts because we believe we should be getting such blessings from God and not them?

This parable speaks of God's love and patience. The father in the parable kept looking with expectation to see his son return home one day. Our Heavenly Father never gives up on us. Even if he must send a famine to compel us to return, He will. Jesus's sacrifice that led to his horrific death, is the ultimate proof of God's love for us. Therefore, let’s not forget the example of Jesus and help find the lost.

 

R.G.  14/09/25

Image: pixabay.com

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