Ah, Chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke. What a wonderful chapter. Jesus tells three parables in this chapter. My bible titles them “The Parable of the Lost Sheep,” “The Parable of the Lost Coin,” and “The Parable of the Lost Son.” (Although that one should be “The Parable of the Lost Sons” since both were lost.)
I, however, like to think of these parables as the parables of the “Found.” The sheep, the coin and the son may have been lost initially but they end up “found” and what can be more glorious than that?
The poor sheep that wandered off and found himself all alone is wonderfully found by the shepherd and brought into the flock. Then not only is the sheep happy, but the shepherd calls everyone together and rejoices “because I have found my lost sheep!” [vs 6]
The woman who lost her coin (because coins can’t wander off on their own) also rejoices with her friends and neighbors “because I have found the silver coin I lost!” [vs 9]
What joy there was for the son who rebelliously chose to leave the Father’s House but then returns to find the Father not only watching for him, but ready to forgive him for his rebellion and throw a feast to celebrate his return.
“But the father told his slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.” [vs 22-24]
Jesus also reminds His listeners that “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.” [vs 7, 10]
I am one of the “found.” What joy abounds in my heart to know that there was joy in heaven in August of 1973 when I became one of those sinners who repented!
