Imagine being part of a gathering where the outcasts and misfits find a warm welcome. In Luke 15, Jesus shares captivating stories that reveal the heart of God toward lost souls and the joy of redemption.
The Reading: Luke 15
World English Bible1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.
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2 The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
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3 He told them this parable.
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4 “Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?
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5 When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
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6 When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
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7 I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
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8 Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?
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9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.’
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10 Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
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11 He said, “A certain man had two sons.
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12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his livelihood between them.
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13 Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
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14 When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.
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15 He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
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16 He wanted to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.
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17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!
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18 I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight.
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19 I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’
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20 “He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
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21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
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22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
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23 Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate;
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24 for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ They began to celebrate.
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25 “Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
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26 He called one of the servants to him, and asked what was going on.
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27 He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’
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28 But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him.
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29 But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
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30 But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
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31 “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
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32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
Welcoming the Outcasts
In this chapter, we find Jesus surrounded by tax collectors and sinners, much to the dismay of the Pharisees and scribes. They grumble, questioning why Jesus would associate with such people. In response, Jesus tells three powerful parables that illustrate God's desire to seek and save the lost.
The Lost Sheep
First, He asks who among them wouldn't leave ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness to search for one that is lost. When the shepherd finds the sheep, he rejoices and celebrates with his friends. This story highlights how much joy there is in heaven over one person who repents.
The Lost Coin
Next, Jesus shares about a woman who loses a drachma (a silver coin) and turns her house upside down to find it. When she does find it, she, too, invites her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her. Jesus emphasizes that there is similar joy among the angels when one sinner repents.
The Prodigal Son
Finally, He tells the gripping tale of a father and his two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance early, wastes it on reckless living, and eventually finds himself starving during a famine. Realizing his mistake, he returns home, hoping to work as a servant. But the father sees him from a distance, rushes to him, and welcomes him back with open arms, throwing a grand feast to celebrate his return. The elder son, however, feels bitter and unappreciated. The father reassures him that everything he has is also his, but they must celebrate the younger son's return because he was lost and now is found.
Why It Matters
Celebrating Redemption
Luke 15 teaches us about the nature of God's love and joy in redemption. Each parable illustrates that everyone matters, and heaven rejoices over every person who turns back to God.
The Importance of Seeking
These stories remind us that we are called to seek out those who feel lost or broken, offering love and compassion rather than judgment. Jesus shows us that no one is beyond the reach of grace.
Embracing Forgiveness
Lastly, the father's response to his wayward son highlights the importance of forgiveness. It challenges us to celebrate rather than resent when others find their way back to love and acceptance.
If you're looking for a community where you can explore these themes further and find a church near you, consider checking out find a church near you.
Coming Up Next: Luke 16
In the next part of our journey through the New Testament, Luke 16, we'll delve into Jesus' teachings on wealth, stewardship, and the serious consequences of our choices. Stay tuned!