The Lost Sheep

Tonight's Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-7

Tonight we looked into parables taught by Jesus. Why did he use them? What did they mean? Do they apply to us today? How can we interpret them? How do we understanding and apply them? What is a parable? Why are they taught in set’s of three? Let’s look at a group of three.

What Is A Parable?:

A short story to convey a concept to be understood or principle to be put into practice (intent not meaning). The Greek meaning is, “to set beside” (a comparison). In biblical times, things were explained in word pictures. Today we use statistics or definitions. Word pictures do not draw attention to technicalities they draw attention to attitudes, concepts, and characteristics.

Why Did Jesus Use Parables?:

It was a language all Jews could understand. Jesus focused on attitude rather than “outward appearance” as the Pharisees taught (John 7:24 “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”)

They have an emotional impact that make them memorable and meaningful to those with a soft heart. They remain a mystery to those who’s hearts are hardened. Why? They require you to be “self critical” and to place yourself in the appropriate place in the story.

Result of a hardened heart? “be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving” (*Isaiah 6:9, Psalm 78:2, Matthew 13:35*)

They are Timeless Teachings. They use commonly understood concepts such as grace, gentleness, concern, pride and others. Everyone can comprehend these concepts even though the story is thousands of years old. In Jewish culture charter traits are often described in relation to objects that are universally recognized (*Hosea 6:3*). Everyone know what rain is. This is why poetry was so often used in scriptures. Over emphasis on a particular detail will lead to interpretative errors. Repetition, patterns or changes help us in identifying when we should focus on a particular detail.

The Lost Sheep Parable:

Repetition: The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7)
The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
The Lost Son (Luke 15:11-31)

Vs. 1-2 sets up the scenario, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them”. Pharisees thought themselves to be righteous and all others were wicked. Teaching sinners was acceptable to them but eating with them was shameful. Jesus addresses “This man welcomes sinners” in the three parables.

We need a little history to better understand this parable. Jewish culture revolves around shame/honor. Everything done in Jewish culture either brings shame or honor. The primary motivation is to bring honor to ones self, this was the primary preoccupation of Jewish interaction.

The Lost Sheep: Vs. 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep”. Jesus was appealing to their life experiences. As the story ends the Pharisees refuse to see themselves as sinners, by their self righteous pride and refusing to repent they placed themselves in the group of 99. Vs. 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.”

We all have sinned including the Pharisees. (Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”)

The Lost Coin: 10 coins refer to a piece of jewelry worn by Jewish brides (like a wedding ring). See the pattern? Lost, Found, Rejoicing.

The Lost Son: Repetition, Patterns, and Changes. They all have the same meaning but are told with different charters. All mean the same thing.

Patterns Of Progression:

Identify the things in common. A sheep, a silver coin, and a son are lost. Remember the shame/honor concept of the Jewish faith. To loose one of these things was shameful.

The personal progression of seeking the one thing that was lost. This shows the scope of God’s personal concern for individuals and gave comfort to the “sinners” who were listening.

Notice the change in tense regarding the rejoicing, from future, present, and past (“will be more joy”, “there is joy”, “had to be”). This communicates the acceptance of those who repent.

Notice the earthly references: lost sheep in an open field, coin lost in the dirt, and the son who was in the mud of a pigsty. This represents our sin.

How did people relate to these three parables? Poor men and young boy’s would have related to the Sheppard. Woman and young girls would have related to the lost bridal coin. The last parable dealt with everyone present, the prideful, self righteous Pharisees, the wayward tax collectors, and the sinners.

Patterns Of Consistency:

1) The main charter possessed something valuable and did not want to loose it.

2) The main charter rejoices in finding what was lost but rejoices with others.

3) The main charter (God) expresses care in either the looking or handling of what was lost.

4) Each thing that was lost had a personal value not just a monetary value; shepherd’s cared for their sheep, woman cherished their jewelry, and a father loves his son.

Jesus paints a beautiful picture with words, a picture of God’s grace in His desire to see the lost return to Him. Men seek honor and avoid shame, God seeks to glorify Himself through us, His sheep. Despite having ninety nine other sheep, despite the sinful rebellion of His lost sheep, God joyfully received it back. Just as He does when we repent and return to Him.

I pray that if you know a lost sheep or if you are one of the ninety nine that you seek Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you don't know anyone who can tell you about Jesus please drop me an e-mail or call. I will be more than happy to tell you what He has done for me. Till next week may God Bless you and yours.