The Grace Chapter: Luke 15
The first thing that comes to mind in the phrase, “lost and found,” is the world-renown hymn, Amazing Grace. John Newton, the hymn’s author, was well known for his profane and wicked life and even preached it to his sailor comrades. Newton had a great love of the sea. As the story is told, his Greyhound was thrashing about in the North Atlantic. As the storm prevailed, the ship’s strength was being stripped away – from its canvas sails to the mainframe of the ship. Few had any hope of survival. That is until he reminisced on his mother’s teachings. He found a New Testament and began reading. And at the helm in 1748, he was rescued from the “lost” column to the “found” side of the ledger.
I am sure that many have sung this beautiful hymn as have I. Listen to the words carefully:
Amazing grace – how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
(LSB 744, verse 1)
My study of this topic led me to Luke’s gospel and the “Grace Chapter,” as it is often called (also known as the Lost Chapter). Luke chapter fifteen records Jesus’ parables of the lost. Each story has its significance for you and me today as well as those to whom Jesus was talking. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, while similar, have their differences. Maxwell’s Leadership Bible summarized the three this way.
- The sheep got lost naturally,
- The coin got lost accidentally, and
- The son got lost willfully. (p 1258)
Then Dr. Maxwell remarks, “in every case, someone went out to look for “what got lost.”
My great friend, NIV Thompson Chain Bible, has many handwritten notes throughout this chapter in Luke. Many of my comments are from sermons/Bible studies over the past thirty-plus years. One of my favorite comments is: the lost does not find himself. Even every man who may never admit he is lost, will at some time, have to resort to a map or another person to rescue him from his lost condition. Yes, even me!
Luke 15 – Grace at its best!
The first of the three parables is the lost sheep. How appropriate! If we dial back in time eight hundred years to the time of Isaiah, we read in chapter forty, “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.” (40:11)
As you read this parable, note that Jesus says, “sheep,” and not “lamb.” Significant? Well, let us look at the difference in size and weight. A lamb generally weighs between 8-12 pounds and the average sheep is 90-150 pounds. Ewes are generally smaller than their ram counterparts – sometimes exceeding 250 pounds. These data are somewhat important since the compassionate shepherd “joyfully put it on his shoulders.”
One of the sources I found (www.myredeemer.org/parables/lost_found) suggested that I take time and list the qualities of each of the finders in these three parables. I would suggest you do the same after you read chapter fifteen.
In this event, the shepherd left the flock of ninety-nine to find the one lost. In my book, Reflection: Journey through the Psalms, I provide some data re: sheep. “Sheep are relatively unintelligent animals, more so than pigs or cattle, and as such are pastoral (need shepherding). They tend to flock together and are often reluctant to move due to predators.” (chapter 23, page 50) That said, the shepherd in this parable leaves them vulnerable as he seeks the lost. But when the lost was found, the shepherd was overjoyed, even calling his friends and neighbors to celebrate with him. Lost sheep–>Shepherd’s search–>Recovery–>Joy expressed.
Perhaps my main lesson from this parable that, just as the lost sheep was likely exhausted and perhaps wounded, we too, as sinners are lost awaiting a Savior (Good Shepherd). And like the sheep, our Lord places us on His shoulder and carries us to safety (eternal). Yes, we see this shepherd with characteristics of love, compassion, and protection for the lost.
The lost coin is relatively short but succinct parable about an object lost within its owner’s house. The woman drops everything to seek the lost coin. And when she finds the lost coin, she rejoices. Again, like the previous parable, she calls her friends and neighbors to share in her joy. But unlike the lost sheep, this object did not know it was lost. In life today, some lost know of their situation while others have no idea. Regardless, in both situations, they are lost without direction – but found.
The lost son completes the trilogy of parables. Some would refer to this parable as the “Prodigal Son,” while other believe it would be better titled “Parable of the Father and Two Lost Sons.” Two lost? I thought only one took his inheritance and left? The parable elaborates to a great degree of the son who requested his inheritance so that he could seek his own way. Notice that the loving father never argued and divided his property between the older and the younger son.
The younger son left home while squandering his inheritance in a profligate manner. And then the well went dry – not only his inheritance but the famine that followed. He sought employment but found only a job of “slopping the hogs.” Then, something happens. He recognizes his lost state. He remembers that even his father’s servants have food to eat. His plan was to travel back to his father seeking a job as a servant having surrendered his sonship. But now we see the loving father who saw his son returning home from far away. Jesus said, “he was filled with compassion.” (verse 20) He ran to his lost son and threw his arms around him and kissed him. The father gave instructions to bring the best robe, a ring, and sandals on his feet. (Note: The sandals may signify a restoration of his sonship).
The elder son is another story. He hears the party music and celebration only to find that his younger brother has returned. Even though he was invited to join, he remains outside. Lost? While never leaving home, the elder son remains lost while the younger has been atoned having been contrite over his sin. King David remarks about his egregious sin and guilt. But he was contrite and prayed for a “pure heart.” And in Psalm fifty-one, David reminds you and me that “a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
Each of these parables was spoken to an audience of Scribes and Pharisees who were complaining that the Lord was associating with tax collectors and sinners. The Messiah came to seek and save that which was lost, says Scripture. Yet, the teachers of the Law chastised the Lord for His actions. This Grace Chapter reminds all of us that He came to save the lost. Like the parable, He wants all to be saved (found). Regardless of the lost naturally, accidently/unknowingly, or willfully, the message is the same. Our Lord has compassion and rejoices over the lost. Like the hymn writer, “I was lost and now am found.” Praise to Almighty God for having sent a Savior for the lost so that we may have life (the found column) and have it abundantly. Amen.
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
P.S. One more note: A guest pastor once preached from our pulpit using a portion of this text. He said, “God’s love knows no calculation.” (The Reverend Chaplain Harold Kallio – 6/10/1990)
