Lost & Found

Parables that tell just how far Christ goes for those who can't find their way.

Blessed 20th Sunday after Pentecost. The 1st Sunday of Advent is in four weeks.

We’ve come to the “lost & found” chapter of Luke. We’ll take it in two parts, the sheep and coin today and then the son tomorrow.

It can be tempting to pick apart every little detail of parables. Why did the shepherd go after the one lost sheep, but the father of the wayward son stayed back and waited for his return? Would a shepherd really leave ninety-nine sheep for one? Are there really ninety-nine people who are completely righteous? And honestly, just how much time would most of us spend searching for one lost coin if we still had nine others?

Dissecting parables so minutely likely misses the point. All three of these parables seem to tell us that God cares about every person, no matter how far they’ve strayed.

When we remember the context in which Luke tells us parables, it really sets the scene for what they mean: all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. That’s the crowd he’s speaking to. These parables aren’t just gentle stories about lost things. They’re declarations about who God is and whom God welcomes.

Jesus cares about those who are lost in life. And he still seeks, lifts, and rejoices when they’re found.

Luke 15:1-10

All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.

“Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.”

Psalm 119:169-176

Let my cry reach you, Lord; help me understand according to what you’ve said.
Let my request for grace come before you; deliver me according to your promise!
Let my lips overflow with praise because you’ve taught me your statutes.
Let my tongue declare your word, because all your commandments are righteous.
Let your power help me because I have chosen your precepts.
Lord, I long for your saving help! Your Instruction is my joy!
Let me live again so I can praise you! Let your rules help me!
I’ve wandered off like a sheep, lost. Find your servant because I haven’t forgotten your commandments!

Prayer (adapted from today’s collect prayer in the Book of Common Prayer)

God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us to love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.