Tuesday, February 23

Have you ever lost something of value (wallet, planner, wedding ring) only to find it again later? Of course most of us have this kind of experience. How did you feel when you realized it was missing and as you frantically searched for the valuable item? Remember the relief you felt when you found it again?

In Luke 15 Jesus tells three parables in a row; the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son (sometimes called the parable of the prodigal son). Jesus often told parables (stories) to drive the truths of his teachings into the hearts of his listeners. However, this is the only time in the Gospels where Jesus tells three parables back to back to back. Why?

What caused him to keep telling these stories? Did he just get carried away? Was Jesus just kind of on a rant here?

No, Jesus was not ranting. Everything Jesus said and did was thoughtfully directed at teaching his disciples about life in the kingdom of God.
So what was it that caused Jesus to tell these three parables?

Read Luke 15:1-24…

What elements do each of these stories have in common?

How would you summarize the primary message from these three stories?

All three stories deal with something of great value that is lost or missing. In all three stories the lost item is restored to its owner and there is great a great celebration. While there are many layers of meaning and messages in this parable, one of the central themes is that lost people matter to God!

Jesus says (in effect) I’m going to tell you, not one, not two, but three stories in a row, just to make sure everybody understands who really matters to God and how much they matter to Him.

When you realize that these parables are not just talking about God’s love for other people, but they are also about His love for you, then you begin to see others differently…

Thank God that His love has pursued and found you and brought you to Him!

Ask God to use you to help pursue and find others who are lost without His love.

Pastor Jeff Frazier