Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2 NIV
Satan loves to make the world believe Jesus, and His followers, are intolerant, but Luke 15 paints a very different picture. In this account, Jesus gladly welcomes the sinners that gather around and listen to His message, and the religious leaders of the day criticized Him for doing so. The first thing this tells me is that we need to be very careful not to assume all religious leaders are accurately representing God. Just because someone appears to be religious does not mean their views are the views of God. In response to the complaints of the Pharisees, Jesus tells this story to illustrate the heart of God toward those who, despite their sin, turn their attention toward God.
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:3-7 NIV
What can we glean about God’s heart in through this parable?
- God cares about each individual and goes out of His way to pursue a relationship with every person, regardless of how “lost” they may be, or how far they may have wandered from those who believe and are enjoying a relationship with God.
- He’s not just distantly waiting for people to find Him, He is reaching out and willing to carry them on His shoulders!
- God rejoices when even one person recognizes their need for Him and turns from their sin.
- He does not desire to see ANYONE end up in hell, but wants every person to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. He will not be content with just 99, He wants to save ALL of them.
- We serve a personal God who loves people.
He further illustrates these ideas by telling a second story:
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8-10 NIV
Why would the woman carefully search for one lost coin when she still has nine others? Because every coin has value! Even if you have not yet taken God up on His offer for redemption and a personal relationship with Him, be encouraged to know that God see’s you as valuable! He has not given up on you, in fact, He is will celebrate when you turn to Him and seek forgiveness. He will gladly “carry” you and help you along your spiritual journey.
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 NIV