Of late I have been enjoying similarities and differences found in the three accounts of lost things in Luke 15. These thoughts are not all original with me, but I’ve been enjoying them again.
To refresh our memory, the chapter begins in this way:
Luk 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
Luk 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
The Lord then proceeds to tell of a lost sheep, a lost piece of silver, and a lost son.
Similarities:
In each case there were others who felt no need of being found, and there was rejoicing over that which may have been looked down upon by others, the one of low estate. In fact, I believe this is one of the key points the Lord was trying to make (hand in hand with the need of all for repentence)… Truly, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” How grand!
Each had value. Could we link the finding of the sheep with worship (sacrifice), the finding of the coin with redemption, and the finding of the son with relationship and position?
Could we say that in each case there was diligence in the search, and it was until the lost was found? For the sheep, the shepherd had to brave the world’s wilderness of peril and loneliness (think of the Savior’s stoop). For the coin, the woman had to light a candle and diligently sweep the house (Think of the Spirit’s light and work bringing conviction). For the son, the father was diligently looking and praying for the son to come home (Think of the Father’s earnest desire; and He surrendered His only son to follow after and take the place of the lost one who went his own way).
Some differences:
The first was 99:1 (100). The second was 9:1 (10). The third was 1:1 (2). Anyone have an idea what this might speak to us about? I believe the last may have to do with Jews & Gentiles or at least applies…
In the first, the 99 are left in the wilderness. In the last, the elder son is seen outside the father’s house.
In the first, there is joy in heaven. In the second, there is joy in the presence of the angels. In the third, there is joy in the father’s house.
In the first, the sheep wandered out of the way, perhaps without intending to do so. In the second, the coin was lost without any effort of its own (due to falling to the ground with Adam). In the third, the son willingly rejects the love of his father and goes out on his own in rebellion for a taste of the world. Sinners by practice, birth, and choice. Praise God, all were recovered!
The sheep was helpless against the foe, the coin was helpless against the fall, the son was helpless amidst the famine.
A found sheep needs a guide; a found coin needs a guardian; a found son needs growth in a caring family.
You find the sheep on the shoulders of a caring shepherd-strength, you find the coin in the hand of a faithful witness-security, and you find the son in the arms of a forgiving father-serenity.
The only account that gives the reaction of the ones not “lost” is the account of the lost son.
The son is said to not only be lost, but dead and risen again.
I value all your comments and additions on the above. I hope this invokes your thoughts and meditation to explore the lessons and applications that can be learned from this wonderful chapter of God’s word.
