This chapter contains three well-known parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the ‘lost’ (prodigal) son.
” ‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? …Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? …And [the younger son] arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.’ ” (v4, 8, 20)
All three parables are spoken in response to a Pharisaical accusation against Jesus: ” ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’ ” Well, thankfully, Jesus does receive / seek / welcome / embrace sinners. According to scripture, we’re all in the ‘sinner’ category (see Rm 3:23).
Like the ‘lost sheep’, ‘lost coin’, and ‘lost son’, we need to be found by our Heavenly Father. Paul tells us that we do not naturally seek the Father (because of our sinful nature); therefore, He must seek us (see Rm 3:11-12).
Jesus also reminds us ” ‘there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.’ ” (v7). Since we know “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rm 3:10), that means we all need to repent before we’re joyously received into Heaven.
Father God, our Good Shepherd and Compassionate Abba Father, we praise You for pursuing and warmly embracing us. Jesus, may we welcome You into our hearts when You knock at the door, and may You fill us with Your love. As we begin to overflow with the joy of Christ, may that joy influence our neighbors for You and Your kingdom. We yearn to honor, serve, and glorify You, with every word, thought, and action, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training