September 8, 2016
LOST AND FOUND
Luke 15:1–10
Andrea Bradshaw
Central Truth
God’s ultimate plan for redemption was an extreme search and rescue mission. Through Jesus’ grace and forgiveness, we are redeemed—what was once lost is found.
Key Verse | Luke 15:4–5
“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? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (Luke 15:4-5)
Luke 15:1–10
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “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? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 Or what woman, having ten silver coins, 1 15:8 Greek ten drachmas; a drachma was a Greek coin approximately equal in value to a Roman denarius, worth about a day's wage for a laborer if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Footnotes
[1] 15:8 Greek ten drachmas; a drachma was a Greek coin approximately equal in value to a Roman denarius, worth about a day's wage for a laborerDive Deeper | Luke 15:1–10
Have you ever lost something you treasured? What did you do? I imagine you searched continuously until you found it. Why? Because it mattered to you, you couldn’t stop thinking about it, and giving up was not an option.
These two parables are easy to overlook. They are short, involve sheep and coins, and don’t appear to be relevant to our lives. The truth Jesus is sharing in these two parables, however, is definitely applicable today. Jesus chose these two illustrations to reveal truth about WHO He is and WHAT He came to do. Just as the shepherd longs to rescue his lost sheep, God desires to rescue us from our sins.
I love to think of the Bible as God’s magnificent, earth-shattering search-and-rescue plan! Ever since the fall, God has continued to seek relationship with His people. In the Old Testament, God forgave sins through atoning sacrifices (check out Leviticus). God never wanted people to simply follow rules about sacrifices and show outward conformity. He yearned for people to be devoted and faithfully serve Him wholeheartedly. Though His people disobeyed and rebelled repeatedly, He pursued them and refused to give up on them. God’s plan culminated in the provision of the only perfect sacrifice: God sent his Son, Jesus, into the world to search for and rescue His people. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Jesus came, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross to bear our sins. Then He conquered death, demonstrating that nothing can separate us from His love. But why would God go through such drastic measures to save us? Because He loves us! Jesus is our Shepherd who rescues us from our sins! He is our Savior and Redeemer!
As these two parables illustrate, the greatest search-and-rescue mission is God’s relentless pursuit of what is lost—you and me in our sinful state. You are more loved and valued than you can ever imagine. Trust in Him.
Discussion Questions
1. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Have you been found? Read these passages to see God’s rescue plan: Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9-10; and Romans 10:13.
2. God wants you to join Him in His mission—spreading the gospel. How are you on mission?
3. Read Ezekiel 34 and Psalm 23 for more passages that describe Jesus as our Shepherd. Reflect on what these verses mean and what they teach you about who God is.