The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son (Luke 15:1-32)

Day 2 – The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he 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. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” 

Understanding the Passage

These three stories work together to teach the same message.

The first two verses give us the context for all of these parables. Jesus was doing ministry with “tax collectors and sinners.” He was loving people well and reaching out to the people who no one loved, and because of this the Pharisees despised him. When Jesus heard them complaining he told them these three parables which all have the same basic message: we were lost, and Jesus came to find us.

In both The Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin an owner has lost something of great value to them. Both the sheep and the coin represent us; we are sinners in need of a savior; we were lost, and Jesus came to find us. We might be better represented by the sheep than the coin because we have wandered off and followed our own way rather than trusting in our good shepherd. But he is such a good shepherd that he has come to rescue us.

Look at the desperation with which the shepherd and the woman look for their lost items. The shepherd leaves 99 other sheep in the wilderness to find the one that was lost. The woman lights up the house and sweeps under everything in order to find what was lost. Jesus deeply desired to come and rescue us to bring us back to the Father. Jesus did not come to rescue us because of something he was lacking; he came to rescue us because of the fullness of his love and mercy.

Perhaps the most beautiful part of these parables occurs when the shepherd and woman have found what they are looking for. They rejoice! And not only that; they get their friends and neighbors to rejoice with them because of their wonderful news.

Jesus rejoices over us! I don’t know what makes me worth rejoicing over, but Scripture is clear that Jesus and the angels of God rejoice over my salvation. What glorious, good news!

Let’s pause here for just a second and address what the parable is not saying. Jesus told this parable for a specific reason—to address the Pharisees’ reaction to him, so we shouldn’t try to draw any hidden meaning from it. For example, The Lost Coin isn’t about Jesus misplacing us and now he has to come find us. Likewise, The Lost Sheep is not saying that Jesus is careless with 99 other sheep. Jesus told this parable about a specific sheep and a specific coin to address the fact that sinners need rescuing. When we interpret the parables we need to stay within the boundaries that Jesus gives us.

How is the Prodigal Son Related?

The last parable, The Prodigal Son, really highlights the disgust the Pharisees had for those of lower standing.

As Jesus goes into the details of the parable, the anger of the Pharisees toward the younger son would have grown. He turned his back on his father, lived and partied with Gentiles, and got a job that would have made him ceremonially unclean. The Pharisees would have likely assumed that this son is too far gone, and his father would despise him.

When the son repents and is received back into the loving arms of his father the Pharisees would have been confused. This is the very reason Jesus tells them the story. They had been judging Jesus’ followers because they did not realize how great his grace and mercy were. Their judgment of sinners showed the malice they had in their hearts and also the incorrect view they had of God. The Pharisees didn’t realize that God rejoices over a repentant sinner more than a righteous man who thinks he doesn’t need repentance.

Not only is the prodigal son received by the father, but he is restored to full sonship. The attitude of the older son represents the Pharisees. They were angry, jealous, and were unrepentant. The last verse closes the story well and beautifully applies to our salvation.

We were dead and now we are alive; we were lost and now we are found.

Reflection

• How do you view God’s mercy and grace? Do you hold onto your guilt assuming you are too far gone, or do you run back to your Father knowing Jesus has paid your entire debt?
• Which of these parables do you connect with the most? Why?
• Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus and his angels rejoice at your salvation? He hasn’t just made salvation available; he longs for us to receive his grace.
• Is there a time in your life when you wandered away from God? Thank the Lord that, in his lovingkindness, he brought you back and restored you.