Lost and Feeling Alone

Luke 15:1–7
[1] Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
[2] And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
[3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
[4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
[5] And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
[6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
[7] I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Much of Jesus' teaching is in response to what people were doing in His day. In the last several chapters of Luke, there have been a group of religious leaders (the Pharisees) that we very displeased with His ministry. Although Jesus was healing people and 'doing good', they took issue with His methods, which included hanging out with the wrong people, wasting resources, and supposedly breaking the Sabbath.

It is in this context that we approach Luke 15. These religious leaders "murmured" at Jesus choice of audience and relationships. Here we find Him teaching "publicans and sinners" (v1). These would be the 'worst' kind of people in His day.

It would seem, however, that these people were seeking Jesus for His teaching, as it says they "drew near unto him… for to hear him" (v1). This audience may not have been a deliberate choice. Jesus has already said hard things to drive the multitudes away (Luke 14:25-26), yet they persist. People that want the truth know where to find it (John 14:6).

Jesus knows and hears the chiding of the Pharisees and gives us three parables in a row to teach on the principle that God loves sinners and seeks to save them. These parables are clearly a rebuke to the religious and they serve as a cautionary tale for us.

These 3 parables all teach that something "lost" has been "found", and each time it brings about "rejoicing". There is a lost sheep (v4-7), treasure in the dark (v8-10), and a wayward son (v11-32). Each thing that was lost and found represents salvation: a person who did not know God, that has been found and made right with Him! The bible is very clear, that Jesus died for sinners - not the righteous. We do NOT have to clean ourselves up for Jesus, we simply need to respond as we see in the text: recognize our sin, be willing to hear Him, and repent of our ways to accept His. That will always point us to the cross and faith in Jesus!

Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Luke 19:10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Have you been saved? Check out our Good News page to learn more about how you can accept Jesus and be found.