The love of God sent Jesus to seek and to save the lost. It meant time spent with tax collectors and sinners. As a result, the religious of His day murmured. To illustrate, Jesus told three stories: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.
The Lost Sheep
His rural audience understood sheep. So, Jesus began by telling of a lost one. If there are one hundred sheep, Jesus said, and one is lost, the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. He searches through scratchy bushes, in wind and rain, and under dark skies until it is recovered. Then he places it, damp and heavy, on his shoulders to bring it home. Singing and dancing erupt when they return to the fold. Jesus said there was more rejoicing in heaven over the one who repents than the just souls that didn’t.
The Lost Coin
Next, Jesus told the story of the woman who having silver coins lost one. Beneath the dim flicker of her lantern, in desperation she searches until it was found. Ecstatic with relief, she tells her neighbours, so they can rejoice with her.
The Lost Son
Next, he told His classic story of the man with two sons. One is lost for a time. It involved taking his inheritance early and living irresponsibly, but the return home — a waiting father, a feast and rejoicing. The elder son misunderstands. But in heaven, there is an outbreak of rejoicing.
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. It may look like a wandering sheep, a lost coin or a delinquent son but it involves great joy.