Mark 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.
1verseImmediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders, scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, bound Jesus, carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.
2versePilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, “So you say.”
3verseThe chief priests accused him of many things.
4versePilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”
5verseBut Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.
6verseNow at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whomever they asked of him.
7verseThere was one called Barabbas, bound with his fellow insurgents, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.
8verseThe multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them.
9versePilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
10verseFor he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.
11verseBut the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.
12versePilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
13verseThey cried out again, “Crucify him!”
14versePilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!”
15versePilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.
16verseThe soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.
17verseThey clothed him with purple; and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.
18verseThey began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
19verseThey struck his head with a reed and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him.
20verseWhen they had mocked him, they took the purple cloak off him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.
21verseThey compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them that he might bear his cross.
22verseThey brought him to the place called Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, “The place of a skull.”
23verseThey offered him wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he didn’t take it.
24verseCrucifying him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots on them, what each should take.
25verseIt was the third hour when they crucified him.
26verseThe superscription of his accusation was written over him: “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
27verseWith him they crucified two robbers, one on his right hand, and one on his left.
28verseThe Scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with transgressors.”
29verseThose who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
30versesave yourself, and come down from the cross!”
31verseLikewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, “He saved others. He can’t save himself.
32verseLet the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him.” Those who were crucified with him also insulted him.
33verseWhen the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34verseAt the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35verseSome of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
36verseOne ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down.”
37verseJesus cried out with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit.
38verseThe veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom.
39verseWhen the centurion, who stood by opposite him, saw that he cried out like this and breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
40verseThere were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
41versewho, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
42verseWhen evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
43verseJoseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.
44versePilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long.
45verseWhen he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
46verseHe bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
47verseMary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.
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.
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