In Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables—the parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost son. There is so much packed in each of these parables individually and as we look at them as a whole.
One thing that each of the parables has in common is that they deal with something that was lost. In the first parable, a man is searching for his lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7). In the second parable, a woman is searching for her lost coin (Luke 15:8-10). And in the last parable, a father is reunited with his lost son (Luke 15:11-32). While recovering something that had been lost is a common theme for each of these parables, one of the things that marks them as different is the way in which each loss occurred.
The sheep more than likely wandered off innocently or foolishly. I don’t believe the sheep just got up one day and said, “You know what? I’m outta here! I’m tired of this shepherd, and I’m sick of this flock! Deuces!” I don’t think that’s how the sheep ended up lost. I think the sheep probably just wasn’t paying attention or thought he hadn’t gone too far away from the rest of the flock. But before he knew it, he had wandered too far off and couldn’t find his way back.
Then there’s the coin. The coin found itself lost of no fault of its own. It didn’t have the ability to form the intent necessary to get up and leave. The coin was lost by a woman who was supposed to take care of it.
Lastly, there is the son. Unlike the sheep and the coin, the son did possess the ability to make a willful decision to leave, and this is how the son ended up lost—through a conscious, rebellious decision to walk away from his father.
But here’s what I love: No matter how any of these three ended up lost—the sheep, the coin, or the son—they were all found again and the finder REJOICED!
Are you like the sheep? Have you sort of drifted away from the Shepherd and the Flock (the Church)? You didn’t mean to, but that’s what happened—little by little. And before you really realized it, you found yourself in a place you didn’t want to be. You’re lost.
Maybe you’re like the coin. Circumstances that seem beyond your control have put you in a position that you never thought you’d be in. People you trusted have let you down, and you don’t see any way to fix the mess that is your life. You’re lost.
Or do you identify with the lost son. You willfully and deliberately chose to walk away from the Father for reasons that seemed legitimate to you at the time, but now you’re in the midst of a famine—spiritually, physically, financially. And since walking away, you’ve found yourself doing things that you never thought you’d do. You’re lost.
Now, here’s the good news: God is searching for you! He wants you back! You are precious to Him!
I remember the first time I read Luke 15, I was like, “Psh! Go searching high and low for one sheep? The devil is a liar! You bettah cut your losses, buddy! You still got ninety-nine more sheep. Why jeopardize them to go after one lone stupid sheep? And you with the coins, you still have nine left. Why do all of that work for one coin?” And I definitely identified with the elder brother: “What?!?! This raggedy boy done come back broke, and you throw a party?!?! Is you crazy?!?!?” I’m so glad that God doesn’t do math like I do math!!! One is precious to Him! And THAT’S what I didn’t recognize. Each of these parables demonstrate just how precious—how indescribably precious—each of us is to God.
The Word of God says that “while we were yet sinners (lost), Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Why? Because it’s not His will that any perish (be lost), so He will do whatever it takes to find (redeem) you.
Are you like the lost sheep? Have you somehow managed to wander off from the Shepherd and the Flock? This is what God says, “For thus says the Lord God: ‘Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out . . . I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick” (Ezekiel 34: 11 & 16).
Are you like the lost coin? Have circumstances beyond your control help contribute to where you are today? Has someone you love and trusted let you down and broken your heart? The Word of God says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Or are you like the lost son? Have you deliberately and rebelliously walked away from the Father? You need to know that Jesus said He didn’t come to condemn you (John 3:17). He said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
It doesn’t matter how you were lost. All that matters is that you are found!!!
So, what’s your part in all of this? Simple. Be willing to be found. What does that mean? Each of the parables that Jesus tells in Luke 15 ends like this, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). The parable of the coin ends this way: “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). And how does the parable of the lost son end? With the prodigal son repenting and the father rejoicing (Luke 15:21-24).
Your part is to be willing to be found. Unlike the sheep and the coin, you can make a choice. You can choose to return to the Father or to stay in your lost condition. The decision is yours. No one can make it for you, not even God. If you are ready to be found, pray this prayer:
"Father, without you, I am lost. I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me of my sins, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I ask Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
What now? Right now the angels in heaven are rejoicing if you prayed and believed this prayer. Now you need to return to the Flock. Find a church—NOT a building where people go to practice religion—a church. Find a church where you can be nurtured and protected. You need to be around the people of God and be taught the Word of God to help you grow keep and to keep you from being lost again.
See the parable of the lost son brought to life on stage on Sunday, April 16, 2017, at 10 a.m. at New Life World Outreach Center located at 106 Hull Rd. in Snow Hill, NC.
Admission is free. All are welcome.