August 17, 2025
Luke 15:1–10 ESV
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Discussion Questions:
1) What are the lessons of these two parables to the audience that heard them at the first advent?
2) What are the lessons of these two parables throughout the Gospel Age?
Discussion Summary:
Jesus had given the parable of the invitation to the banquet in chapter 14:16-24. These parables seem to be a further commentary on those who are asked to come to the banquet after the first ones have declined. The religious leaders could not understand that they were rejecting God’s invitation through Jesus and that Jesus was extending that invitation to others who were less religious than they were (Matthew 9:9-13). These who were far from God, who were lost, had a greater appreciation for the mercy being shown them (Luke 7:47).
In Ezekiel 34:1-10 we read of a prophesy against the false shepherds of Israel. These were the religious leaders of Ezekiel’s day who preyed upon the people rather than caring for them. This should have been a harsh warning to the religious leaders of his day. Christian leaders should also heed this warning as they too are described as shepherds in 1 Peter 5:1-4.
Jesus calls the people of Israel the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). He also tells his apostles that he has “other sheep that are not of this fold, I must bring them also” in John 10:16. We understand this to refer to the gentiles who in God’s eyes were also lost and needed to be recovered.
God’s mercy is extended to all (1 Timothy 2:4) and as his angels rejoice at repenting sinners, so should we. We notice in verse 8 the effort the woman makes to find her lost coin and we must ask ourselves if we are making the same effort to preach the good news and support those whose faith is weak. This is a privilege of service (Romans 10:14,15).
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