Luke 15
Luke 15 is a chapter in which Jesus emphasizes the joy of what was lost being found again through three parables. These three parables are made up of the parable of the lost sheep(verses 1-7), the parable of the lost coin(verses 8-10), the parable of the prodigal son(verses 11-32). Each parable is connected to the others, and the joy surrounding what was lost and what was found is repeatedly highlighted.
1verseNow all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.
2verseThe Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
3verseHe told them this parable:
4verse“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?
5verseWhen he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6verseWhen he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
7verseI tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
8verse“Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?
9verseWhen she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’
10verseEven so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
11verseHe said, “A certain man had two sons.
12verseThe younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.
13verseNot many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
14verseWhen he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.
15verseHe went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16verseHe wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.
17verseBut when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!
18verseI will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
19verseI am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’
20verse“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21verseThe son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22verse“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23verseBring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate;
24versefor this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.
25verse“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26verseHe called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on.
27verseHe said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’
28verseBut he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him.
29verseBut he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
30verseBut when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
31verse“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32verseBut it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”
The Joy of the Lost Sheep and the Shepherd (Verses 1-7)
Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who has lost one sheep out of 100. The shepherd leaves the 99 in the field and searches diligently until he finds the lost sheep, and when he finally discovers it, he rejoices greatly. Then he shares that joy with his neighbors. This parable shows how precious to God is one person who has been lost—a single repentant sinner.
The Joy of the Lost Coin and the Woman (Verses 8-10)
This time, the story is about a woman who loses one coin out of ten, searches the whole house thoroughly, and then finds it. After she finds the coin, she calls her friends and neighbors to rejoice together. This emphasizes the fact that when one sinner repents, the angels in heaven rejoice before God.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Father's Love (Verses 11-32)
In the parable of the prodigal son, the second son receives his father’s estate in advance, goes off to a distant country, and lives recklessly, until he loses everything and returns. The father welcomes his son with joy and holds a feast of great celebration. Meanwhile, the first son who remained at home cannot easily accept that joy. This parable makes us reflect on God the Father’s unconditional love and hospitality toward the one who was lost, as well as the hearts of those who consider themselves righteous.
Points to Ponder
- You can reflect on how the center of all three parables is the passion of the one who seeks and the joy of being found again.
- You can also deeply think about the fact that God’s joy is found in each person who turns back and returns.
- You can ask yourself whether we, too, carry in our lives the spirit of hospitality and care rather than criticism, and the spirit of joy in sharing.
Applying It to Me
- How precious do I find those around me who are lost?
- When I feel a critical attitude toward someone, I can think about how I might put God’s warmth into practice.
- It would also be good to make concrete plans for how to express, in everyday life, forgiveness, hospitality, and the desire to value a single soul as precious.
