Luke 15 - Christ Defends His Ministry

 

Luke 15 – Christ Defends His Ministry

 

Christ explained that they were sheep that had gone astray and needed a shepherd to bring them home. They were lost coins, stamped with the image of God, needing to get back into circulation again. They were disobedient sons who were wasting their inheritance and needed to come home to the Father.

 

Sheep are foolish animals and naturally go astray, but the spiritual shepherds in Israel had not ministered to them (Jer. 23; Ezek. 34). The woman lost the coin because of carelessness, and the son was lost because of his willfulness. The father did not search for the boy but let him learn his lessons the hard way and discover how good it was back home. (Rom. 2:4)

 

Jesus always saw the potential in people. The sheep could be brought back to the flock and bring joy to the shepherd, the coin could be found; and the son could return home and lovingly serve his father. There is hope for every sinner because Jesus welcomes everyone.

 

Lost describes the person’s condition without the Savior. Jesus seeks the lost and the result is joy. Whenever we lose something and find it, there is always joy.

 

God’s grace is the Son of Man coming to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus wanted the Pharisees to understand that His whole purpose in coming to earth was the very thing that prompted their accusations of Him – reaching out with grace to sinners.

 

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Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference Study Bible, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.