Luke 15:1-6
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
While the Lost Sheep parable is a wonderful account of Kingdom principles and righteous values, we sometimes forget it is just one of three contiguous parables recorded by Luke of Jesus’ teaching. The other two were of a women searching her house for a valuable coin And the third, the parable of the prodigal son. Yes, each story has its own deep and powerful meaning. Each expresses and exposes intricate details of the nature and character of Christ. But as a collective-whole, there’s a common thread of eternal significance that we can’t afford to miss. Surely these heaven sent lessons speak volumes to our souls. Let’s review them now.
In isolation, the Lost Sheep example could be misconstrued as a story solely about the kindness of a good shepherd. Is the shepherd good? Of course he is. Could the lamb have found their way back to the fold without him? Of course not. So, why isn’t this simply an analogy of the grace of a kind care giver? Well, let’s keep looking.
The second parable in the response of Christ to the Pharisees involves the urgency and desperation of someone (Christ uses a woman for his example) seeking for a coin of significant worth they misplaced in their home. I’m sure those that couldn’t understand the actions of the shepherd could certainly relate to the angst and frustration of misplacing a large sum of money.
And if someone was still uncertain about the meaning of his teaching, Jesus uses yet another parable. This time he draws his audience into the emotional pain of family disfunction and sibling rivalry with the story of a prodigal son. Once again the main character seems to be a benefactor of tremendous character, love and grace. This time it’s the father of the ungrateful son that squandered his inheritance and wants to come back home.
As I pointed out, each of these accounts can most certainly stand on their own. But let’s look at what they have in common. Each has a wonderful benefactor. A good shepherd. A conscientious woman of the house. A doting father. And each parable ends in celebration. But there’s more. Each of the rescued items or person was deemed extremely valuable. The lamb is valuable to the shepherd. The coin is valuable to the woman. And the prodigal son is invaluable to his father: irreplaceable and beyond expressible worth.
Consider this. Jesus was speaking to the religious elite in front of those “sinners” the establishment considered worthless. They deemed them sinners, not worthy to be seated with Jesus. Yet, the response of Christ to these self righteous clergymen was, that in his opinion, these “sinners” were of incalculable worth.
I can’t say if the Pharisees ever got the message. But what’s worse is I’m not sure we got it either. Jesus went through great lengths to save us. More than the shepherd, the woman or the father. And he did it because in his eyes we are well worth it. And I can hear someone asking now, “why does he think that?” I’m glad you asked.
Think about the lamb, the coin and the son for a second. Each has a significant role in their respective places. The lamb is needed for wool. The coin for purchasing. And the son to run his father’s house. While each of them couldn’t return where they belonged without the help of the benefactor, the benefactor wouldn’t be whole without them either. While it is unquestionable that we need the Lord, please understand the Lord has need of you as well.
Dear Servants of the Most High, for far too long, we’ve deified buildings and cathedrals. We’ve made idols of inanimate objects. Held tradition over the present voice of the Spirit, and abdicated our power and authority to lessor creatures. The truth is, all God has done has been for you. This celebration we call communion is for you. The party heaven is hosting is for you. Not the building. Not the organization. Not the denomination. It’s for you. You have a place no one can take. You have a role no one can fill. You have a call. When you going to answer?
God Bless
