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.
8 “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?
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.”
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.
12 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.
13 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.
14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
15 And he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “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!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”
20 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.
21 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.’
22 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.
23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.”
26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
27 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.’
28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him.
29 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.
30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’
31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
The True Meaning of Luke 15
This passage from the Gospel of Luke provides a powerful set of parables that speak to the heart of God’s love and the importance of repentance. The author, Luke, was a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, and his gospel account is known for its emphasis on Jesus’ compassion for the marginalized and his teachings on the transformative power of grace. Jesus will address the Pharisees and scribes who are critical of his association with “sinners” in this chapter.” Through the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, Jesus reveals the depth of God’s desire to seek and restore those who have strayed, no matter how far they may have wandered. These stories echo the sentiment expressed in Ezekiel 34:16, where the Lord promises to “seek the lost, and bring back the strayed, and bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak. Our Heavenly Father rejoices over the repentance of even the most wayward of his children as we delve into these parables, reminding us of his boundless mercy. These teachings challenge us to examine our own hearts and to embrace the transformative power of God’s love, which can turn even the most hopeless situations into opportunities for redemption and restoration.
Luke 15:1-7
The verse in Luke 15:1-7 can be broken down into several important sections. Firstly, there is the beginning of the passage which sets the scene. It states that “tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus”. This immediately sets the stage for what is to come – the following verses will feature Jesus speaking to this mixed crowd, which includes those who were considered outcasts or sinners in society.
Moving on to the core message of these verses, Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep. He speaks of a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep in the open pasture to search for the one lost sheep. When he finds it, he joyfully carries it back home and shares his joy with his friends and neighbors. This parable highlights the immense value that is placed on each individual, no matter how lost or insignificant they may seem. It showcases the unconditional love and care that God has for each and every one of His children.
The significance of this parable in the broader context of the Bible’s messages cannot be understated. It reflects the overarching theme of redemption and salvation that runs through the scriptures. Just as the shepherd goes to great lengths to save the one lost sheep, so too does God go to great lengths to seek out and save those who are lost in sin. This message is reiterated in the New Testament in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), where a father eagerly welcomes back his wayward son with open arms, symbolizing God’s boundless grace and forgiveness towards all who repent.
Furthermore, in addressing the Pharisees and scribes who were grumbling about Jesus associating with sinners, Jesus drives home the point that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent. This challenges the self-righteous attitudes of the religious leaders and emphasizes the importance of humility, forgiveness, and the value of every soul in the eyes of God. Luke 15:1-7 encapsulates the heart of Jesus’ teachings – the relentless pursuit of the lost, the extravagant grace of God, and the joy that comes from repentance and redemption. It serves as a reminder to all believers to never give up on those who are lost, to extend mercy and compassion to sinners, and to rejoice in the transformation that takes place when a soul turns back to God. The parable of the lost sheep is a timeless message of hope, love, and the unlimited lengths God will go to in order to bring His children back into His fold.
Luke 15:8-10
The parable of the Lost Coin is found in Luke 15:8-10. Let’s break it down into important sections for a closer look:
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“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one…”: Here, we are introduced to a woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them. These coins were likely part of the woman’s dowry in biblical times, and losing one would have been a significant loss. This introduction sets the stage for the central theme of losing something valuable and the subsequent search to find it.
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“Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?”: This section highlights the woman’s actions upon realizing she has lost a coin. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds the lost coin. This emphasizes the effort and determination she puts into finding what was lost. This can be seen as a reflection of God’s relentless pursuit of His people when they stray away from Him. It demonstrates God’s love and desire to bring back those who are lost.
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“And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’”: Upon finding the lost coin, the woman’s first instinct is to share her joy with others. This echoes the idea of rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents, as seen in the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son in the same chapter (Luke 15:4-7 and 15:11-32). It illustrates the importance of repentance and the celebration that occurs when a lost soul is found and returned to God.
The parable of the Lost Coin, along with the other parables in Luke 15, teaches us valuable lessons about God’s unconditional love, His pursuit of those who are lost, and the importance of repentance. It emphasizes the joy that comes from finding what was once lost and the celebration that occurs in both heaven and earth when a sinner turns back to God. Just as the woman diligently searched for her lost coin, God actively searches for His lost children and rejoices when they are found. This parable serves as a reminder of God’s never-ending love and His desire for reconciliation with all who have strayed.
Luke 15:11-24
The parable of the Prodigal Son is recounted in Luke 15:11-24. This passage can be broken down into a few key sections that bring out important meanings and lessons.
The parable begins with a younger son who asks his father for his inheritance early. This request was essentially saying to his father, “I wish you were dead so I could have what is mine.” The father, in an act of extraordinary grace, grants his son’s wish and gives him his inheritance. The younger son then wastes all the money on extravagant living, leading him to a life of destitution and hardship. This part of the story reflects the consequences of seeking immediate gratification and living a selfish, reckless life.
Upon realizing his mistake and the dire situation he’s in, the younger son decides to return to his father’s house, not as a son demanding his rights, but as a servant seeking mercy. This decision is crucial as it highlights the concept of repentance and humility. The son acknowledges his wrongdoings and is willing to face the consequences of his actions. This act of humility and repentance is met with an overwhelming response of love and forgiveness from the father, who not only welcomes him back but also celebrates his return with joy and extravagance.
The older brother, upon hearing about the celebration for his younger sibling, becomes angry and refuses to join in. This reveals the theme of jealousy and self-righteousness. The older son represents those who feel entitled, self-sufficient, and resentful towards God’s grace and forgiveness towards others. This part of the parable serves as a reminder to examine our own hearts and attitudes towards those who have strayed, and to reflect on whether we are truly embodying the grace and forgiveness of God towards them.
The parable of the Prodigal Son is a powerful illustration of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace towards sinners who repent. The father symbolizes God, who eagerly waits for His children to return to Him, no matter how far they have strayed. Through this story, Jesus conveys the message that no one is beyond redemption, and that there is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). The parable challenges us to examine our own hearts, to practice forgiveness and grace towards others, and to humbly accept God’s mercy in our own lives.
Luke 15:25-32
Jesus tells a parable known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:25-32, which is one of the most well-known and profound stories. This particular section focuses on the reaction of the older brother to the return of his younger brother who had squandered his inheritance on reckless living and then returned home to his father.
The older brother represents the Pharisees and scribes to whom Jesus directed this parable. The older brother’s reaction to the return of his younger sibling is one of resentment and bitterness. He feels that his father is being unjust by welcoming back the younger son with open arms after he had disgraced the family by his actions. The older brother’s attitude reflects a sense of self-righteousness and a lack of forgiveness towards his brother.
This portion of the parable highlights the themes of forgiveness, mercy, and the danger of self-righteousness. The older brother’s reaction serves as a warning against becoming prideful and judgmental towards others who may have strayed or made mistakes. It emphasizes the importance of showing compassion and forgiveness, even to those who may not seem deserving of it.
The father in the parable represents God’s unconditional love and mercy towards His children. Despite the younger son’s mistakes and poor choices, the father welcomes him back with open arms, demonstrating the boundless grace of God. This serves as a powerful reminder of God’s forgiveness and willingness to embrace those who repent and turn back to Him.
The father’s response to the older son’s bitterness is one of understanding and compassion. He reassures the older son of his love and reminds him that everything the father has is already his. This serves as a reminder that God’s blessings are not limited and that there is no need for envy or comparison. Each child of God is valued and loved equally in His eyes. This parable echoes the message of God’s immense love for humanity in the broader context of the Bible. It reflects the teachings of Jesus about the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and the need to show compassion towards others. It also challenges us to examine our own attitudes towards those who may have gone astray and to emulate the father’s example of unconditional love and forgiveness. Luke 15:25-32 serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of God’s grace and the dangers of harboring bitterness and self-righteousness in our hearts. It calls us to reflect on our own actions and attitudes towards others, urging us to emulate the father’s unconditional love and forgiveness in our interactions with those around us.
After Luke 15
Jesus teaches us the importance of seeking out the lost and rejoicing when they are found in Luke 15. Just as the shepherd searched for his lost sheep and the woman searched for her lost coin, God tirelessly seeks out each one of us when we stray. The joy in heaven when a sinner repents should be remembered, and we should always be ready to welcome them back with open arms. We should keep this lesson close to our hearts as we move forward and continue to spread God’s love to all those who are lost and in need of redemption.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.