Finding the Lost Sheep and Coin

Discipleship and Mission

Call to Discipleship

Calling the Lost

Luke 15:1-10 The Message (

The Story of the Lost Sheep

15 1-3 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story.
4-7 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.

The Story of the Lost Coin

8-10 “Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it, you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”

For Reflection

I can't imagine that these people gathered around Jesus to hear his promise of life after death.  No, I think what generated such interest was a promise of becoming a transcendent being, escape from the terrible social, economic and spiritual deprivation they were experiencing.  Salvation from their human circumstance in the here and now was the draw.  Christ did not offer a magical elixir or self-help empowerment.  Christ offered them, as he offers today, God-help, a Holy Spirit relationship that restores all of humanity to a right relationship with the Creator and  Creation.

Pray

Pray and gain the wisdom that only a right relationship with God can bring.

Forward to a friend