Luke 15:1-101Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:1‑10)
Perhaps you know that if a sheep strays away, it does not find its way back as other animals will, so the shepherd must go after it; often it keeps on among bushes or rocks where it is hard to find it. The Lord Jesus once told about a lost sheep, He said, “What man of you having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which was lost, until he find it?
“When he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth tether his friends and neighbors, sang unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”
If you had a little pet lamb, which wandered away, you would not rest until you found it, and had it safe home, would you? Perhaps you could not lift the lamb on your shoulders, and carry it, but that is what a strong shepherd can do.
We can understand that the Lord Jesus really wanted to teach of what is of far greater value than sheep; He wanted to show them about people who are “lost” to God, because of sins, for He said the shepherd’s joy over finding the sheep, is like the joy in Heaven over one sinner that repents of his sins.
Jesus Himself was like the kind shepherd, He came to earth to “find” and save men, women, boys and girls, who all go their own way, and are far from God’s way. It was not easy for Him to save people “lost” in sin—to do that He gave His own life.
But notice how He told the tender care of a shepherd, taking the tired sheep on his shoulders and carrying it back, and rejoicing over it. So is His care for every one who repents, or is sorry and ashamed of his sins. If you would like the Lord Jesus to save you, all you can do is to tell Him about your sins, and trust Him as your Saviour, and He will “take” you safe to Heaven.
Perhaps you do not think you are lost from God, but read these words: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6).
Jesus told also how sorry a woman would be to lose one piece of silver. It is said that silver pieces were often a marriage gift, so much prized, and if a woman lost one she would search carefully for it. When she found it she would be happy and tell her friends, as the shepherd would to find the sheep.
And Jesus said so would there be joy in the presence of the angels over one sinner that repenteth.
It is very wonderful to know that there can be joy in Heaven when one boy or girl or man or woman is sorry for his ways and trusts the Lord Jesus to save him.
ML 08/05/1945