Introduction
Luke 15:1–10: In today’s reading, Jesus tells two parables, using images of a lost sheep and a lost coin, to teach about how God cares for those who are lost.
Today’s Key Verse: Luke 15:10 GNT
[Jesus said:] “In the same way, I tell you, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents.”
Read
15 One day when many tax collectors and other outcasts came to listen to Jesus, 2 the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law started grumbling, “This man welcomes outcasts and even eats with them!” 3 So Jesus told them this parable:
4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them—what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one that got lost until you find it. 5 When you find it, you are so happy that you put it on your shoulders 6 and carry it back home. Then you call your friends and neighbors together and say to them, ‘I am so happy I found my lost sheep. Let us celebrate!’ 7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent.
8 “Or suppose a woman who has ten silver coins loses one of them—what does she do? She lights a lamp, sweeps her house, and looks carefully everywhere until she finds it. 9 When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, and says to them, ‘I am so happy I found the coin I lost. Let us celebrate!’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents.”
Reflect
In Jesus’s day, the “lost” included notorious sinners and the tax collectors who collaborated with the Roman conquerors. These people were treated as outcasts by many in the Jewish community. In verses 1–2, who are the ones listening to Jesus? Who are the ones grumbling and why? How does Jesus identify the “lost” in verses 7 and 10? How do you suppose these listeners understood these parables? Who do we treat as “lost” today? What do these two parables teach you about God’s love?
Pray
Lord Jesus, teach me to follow you and to share your love and truth with those who are lost and lonely. I offer you my humble and repentant heart. With the angels in heaven, I rejoice because of your steadfast love for me. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Luke 15:11–32: Jesus tells a story about a lost son.
