The Word in Review
Jesus reveals how precious we are to him as he pre-sents these three parables:
- The parable of the “lost sheep”
- The parable of the “lost coin”
- The parable of the “lost son”
The gospel according to Luke chapter 15 tells the story of Jesus bearing our reproach as the Pharisees and scribes murmured and complained against him for receiving sinners (us). He further went on to show publicly how far he would go to recover us if were or are lost.
In each parable, great effort is made to recover what was lost and each culminates with great rejoicing when that which was lost is found. In the same manner the Lord will seek after us if we are lost because we are precious to Him.
Jesus also sets the example of the attitude that we should have in searching for our brethren who are lost and when that one who is lost comes to repentance.
Luke 15:29-31 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him! ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, be-cause this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’