Luke, chapter 15, verse 1-3 finds Jesus talking to a mixed group of people,
Publicans, sinners, Pharisees and Scribes. The Scribes and Pharisees were griping about Jesus visiting and eating with the sinners.
Those people with their self righteous attitudes did not know who they were speaking to and they did not know He came to Earth to save their souls as well as souls of sinners. (1 Tim. 1:15 it says Jesus Christ came to the world to save the sinner.)
Jesus states 3 parables to this group of people.
1) parable of the one lost sheep:
A man had 100 sheep. He lost one in the wilderness. Having left the 99 he searched diligently for the one lost sheep. When he found it he held it in his arms and rejoiced .
In verse 7 it tells us all heaven rejoices when one sinner repents.
Thank God that one day you and I repented.
2) parable of the lost piece of silver:
A woman lost a coin which history tells us it was probably worth a days' wages. The woman had 10 pieces of silver and she lost one piece, she also searched diligently until she found it. She called all she knew and they all rejoiced. Again in verse 10 there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.
3) The parable of the lost son:
A man had 2 sons. The youngest son decided he wanted his inheritance so he said "Give me what is mine so I can do what I want to do." The father did. The young man left and went to a land far away. He wasted his inheritance on wild living. He had no money, no food and he was living in a hog pen. He thought to himself that the servants back at his fathers house lived better than he did. He decided to go home and tell his dad he had sinned against heaven and against him. He was humbled before his father. He never expected fine clothes and a feast in his honor but that is what he got. He was surprised his father had compassion on him. He did not realize his father had a son lost but he was now found. The older son was very jealous of his brother. His father explained to him why he was so happy to have both sons with him. In Song of Solomon 8:6 it states that jealousy is as cruel as the grave. On a personal note: In Acts 10:34 Peter said God is no respecter of persons but I believe that he is a respecter of attitudes. We must watch our attitudes in our daily walk with the Lord.
Kirk Fults
Friday
Luke 15
