STORIES OF THE LOST SHEEP, SILVER AND SON
Luke 15:7,32
Have you experienced losing something or someone important? It was so important to you that you spent a long time looking for it. When you found it, you rejoiced and shared your joy with others. This episode was the thrust of three parables in Luke 15 about losing something precious that was eventually found.
The parable of the lost sheep (15:1-7) highlighted the joy of finding the lost one, which is similar to the joy of finding “one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” In addition, the parable of the lost coin (15:8-10) compared finding the coin to the “rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Similarly, the parable of the lost son (15:11-32) emphasized the rejoicing of a father over the return of a prodigal son, and likened the joy of the heavenly Father over the repentance of an erring soul.
God’s call is clear: we are to be actively engaged in seeking the lost. Jesus modeled this strategy when He came to earth to seek and save the lost (19:10). In the parables, the one sheep, the one coin, and the one son were each important. In God’s priority list, each person is worth the lost sheep, coin, and son combined.
Meditation:
Pray for an opportunity to share the free gift of salvation in Christ with a friend or relative. If you must begin to pray for a burden to witness for Christ, do so. Then watch God open doors for you.
Prayer:
Dear God, how precious each soul is to You. I am a recipient of such extreme regard for my value. I pray that I would see how valuable others are to You. Make me Your witness today.
