READ THIS: Luke 15:1-7
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?
Over the next three days, we are going to be covering Luke 15. This chapter consists of three parables, all about the same idea: something being lost and suddenly being found! When you read these, remember that each of these three parables is a response to verse 2, where the Pharisees wonder why Jesus welcomes sinners and spends time with them.
This first parable is about a shepherd that owns 100 sheep, but suddenly, he loses one of them. When he realizes it, the shepherd leaves all of the other sheep behind and searches like crazy until he finds that lost sheep, and when he finally finds the lost sheep, he rejoices with all those around him! So what does this teach us about Jesus… that He only cares about some of us and He will leave others behind? NOT AT ALL! Jesus came to the world to share the good news to the lost and the broken and the sinners of this world (by the way, that’s US!), and He will do anything He can to bring us back to Him.
This last sentence (verse 7) is such an important one… there is more rejoicing in heaven for a single person who repents and comes to know Christ than 99 people who believe they don’t need repenting. Here’s the thing… we ALL need to repent, right? We have all fallen short and messed up, but Jesus loves us so much that He will seek us out in the wildest ways until we come back into His arms!
THINK ABOUT IT:
1. Based on this parable, what type of person do you think Jesus wants to spend time with?
2. Is there something in your life that you need to repent for? Take some time now to ask Jesus for forgiveness!
TRY THIS:
You probably saw this one coming… but check out this awesome song that describes God’s Reckless Love as He chases after the “one” instead of the “ninety nine!”
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