Luke 15:1–7
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15:1 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.
(ESV)
When a Sinner is Found
Have you ever lost something? One day while shopping, my husband accidentally lost our son in the elevator. When he frantically called to tell me the baby went up the elevator, my heart felt as if it stopped. I was angry and furious but felt mostly scared. Immediately I ran down to the bottom floor, praying I would find him there when the elevator came back and the door opened. Fortunately, my husband was able to get to our child before I could. When he told me that he had found our boy, I rejoiced. I couldn't be mad anymore because my son was found!
In Luke 15, we beautifully see God’s heart and attitude towards the lost, especially notorious sinners. It is astonishing that Jesus doesn’t avoid them nor does he dismiss them. In fact, he has dinner with them! The religious leaders didn’t like that very much. I guess they expected Jesus to hang with people like them. Jesus responds by telling everyone a parable about how the shepherd will leave his big flock of sheep to simply find the one that went astray. Once found, he calls his friends to rejoice because he found his lost sheep. As I experienced the fear of losing my son, I couldn’t help but think of the joy and relief that comes when something or someone precious is found! This must be a glimpse of the joy that God feels when a sinner is found. Jesus says, “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”
This advent season, how much more can we rejoice that this was God’s heart for us? We too are notorious sinners, yet God decided to seek the lost by sending his son to live, die, and rise in order that lost sinners can be found. Just like the shepherd, the Lord goes to great lengths to see salvation take place in a sinner’s life. Jesus tells us that the angels in heaven celebrate over each lost sinner who repents. How much more should we, as recipients of His grace, rejoice that we too have been found by this loving Shepherd?
Reflect on how you can celebrate this joy during Advent. Because of who he is, let’s rejoice and bask in the presence of our God. One whose behavior and actions woos the sinner. But it doesn’t stop there, he awakens repentance in the heart of his sheep so they can know him. Also this season, will you think of others who you can share this joy with that might feel "lost?”
Jessica Salinas