Trinity 3 July 3, 2022
Luke 15:1-10
Lost in Joyful Repentance
v.4, 8, and 10 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?...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?...Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Dear friends in Christ, our text from Luke 15 is one of the most beloved chapters in all Holy Scripture. Fore herein St. Luke records for us three parables that relate the lostness of the state of humanity before the Father in heaven, and yet also describes in stunning magnificence the diligent way in which the Lord Jesus seeks out the lost in order to save them—thereby resulting in great joy in heaven.
As always, the context in which Jesus tells these parables is key. "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'" At this point in Jesus' ministry, His popularity among many people is increasing, especially among the outcasts of Jewish society: people like tax collectors (nobody likes the tax man, after all), prostitutes, and other "sinners." Yet, Jesus' willingness to welcome these "undesirable" types of people into His presence was greeted with indignation by the religious leaders of the day—the upright and good citizens—the Scribes and Pharisees—those who knew God's Word best—studied it thoroughly—and devoted themselves to trying to live in accordance with the Law.
However, their close adherence to Scripture was not complete—for while they reveled in the hearing and teaching of the Law—yet they did not fully embrace the application of the Law when it came to their own lives. That is, they did not see their own failures to live up to God's perfect standard, as described by the Ten Commandments, and later further explicated by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. While they had no trouble in fully bringing God's Law to bear on those they considered beneath them—i.e. prostitutes and sinners—yet they never once saw their own stubborn pride and rebellion in their lack of love or hidden desires—which marked them as sinners, too.
Furthermore, they missed the beautiful promises of God in Scripture that declare His willingness—His great love and desire—to rescue people from their sin. They missed the Gospel. That though all people are sinners—yet God in His mercy would save them from their sin via the sacrifice of another—His own perfect Son. And so many of the pious religious people grumbled against the One whom God had sent to be their Savior because they couldn't stand the thought that He would also save the so-called "worst of the worst." They could not see their own great need for repentance, but considered themselves righteous apart from the mercy of God, by virtue of their own works and adherence to the Law. But they were not righteous—no, not one.
And so Jesus, in love for them, speaks to them three parables of increasing significance—the first two of which serve as our text. As the Scribes and Pharisees grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them," indicating their great shock that a Rabbi—a holy and righteous man—would dare to sully Himself with the wicked and lowly—the unrighteous sinners—that He would even share a meal with them—thereby demonstrating to all that He welcomed them fully into His presence—Jesus tells the first of the parables. The parable of the lost sheep.
"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?" What man, indeed, would do such a thing? Does this make any sense? To leave ninety-nine sheep, the bulk of your flock, alone and helpless in the wilderness, to go and seek after one dumb sheep that has wandered away and is lost? That's crazy! That's ludicrous! That's so reckless!
Yet this Good Shepherd does just that. He seeks after the lost sheep, "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.'" Beloved, this is what the Lord Jesus does through the power of His Holy Spirit, working through the Word. He seeks after lost sinners—those who have run away from Him—those who have become separated from His flock—the Holy Church—those who have been led astray by the lies of the devil and the temptations of the flesh and the world. The addicts, the criminals, the violent offenders, the abortionist, the one struggling with their gender identity or their sexual orientation, the liar, the thief, the adulterer, etc. Jesus seeks after them all, calling to them through His Word, that they might repent.
And by God's grace, some do repent. Often it is those who are most broken that are most receptive to the hearing of God's grace for them in Christ Jesus. Those who struggle mightily against things they know to be wrong—who have given themselves over to temptation over and over again—those whom we might consider the lowest and basest of society—those are the ones whom God finds and brings to His heavenly home, carrying them on His shoulders—cradling them in His nail-pierced hands—showing them how His perfect life has become theirs—just as His death has paid for their sins. And when they hear it—the rejoice with great joy! They are overwhelmed by the great love of God for them in Christ. And when this happens, beloved, "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." The joy in heaven over sinners who repent is a sight to behold! For the angels and the saints who reside in God's presence know the great sacrifice of Jesus that was required to bring sinners into glory. The blood of bulls and goats would not suffice. No, indeed, only the holy, innocent blood of God Himself would do—and so Jesus came. Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus came to seek and to save the Lost. Which means Jesus came for you and me.
For you see, in this account from Luke's Gospel, we in the church are more likely to resemble the Scribes and Pharisees. We are more apt to grumble against the Lord for His amazing grace that forgives sinners whom we consider to be so lost and so low. How could God forgive an abusive spouse? How could God forgive the person who encouraged and performed abortions—murdering innocent children? How could God love those who despise marriage—living in open sin and rebellion against God's plan? How could God show mercy to those who spew hatred toward His church, targeting them for persecution?
Yet, beloved, how could God ever forgive those who harden their hearts against their lost and confused neighbor? How could God look with tenderness upon the person who outwardly appears so good and righteous, yet who harbors intense hatred and animosity in their hearts toward their neighbor? Who spreads lies and gossip? Who ridicules the government without upholding them in prayer, as Jesus has commanded? In short, how could God show mercy to you—to me?
We are like that lost, dead coin. Yet the Lord in His mercy diligently seeks us out. He sweeps the house of the world, lights the lamp of His Word to shine so very brightly, and does not cease seeking, until He finds those who are precious to Him—more precious than silver or gold. And when He finds it—when He finds you—He calls the entire host of heaven together and declares, "'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."
Yes, indeed, beloved, despite the dead state of your heart—despite the sin that drives you away from God—yet He does not give up on you—or anyone else. He diligently seeks after you—to give you that one thing needful—repentance. That you might see by the light of His Word that you, too, are a sinner, yet you are a sinner for whom Jesus has died. His blood has washed over you in Baptism, just as His blood nourishes you in His Holy Supper—leading you to rejoice in His goodness and mercy. Mercy that has been given not only to you, but to all people. And this Good News draws people near to Him, like tax collectors and sinners, Scribes and Pharisees—people like you and me. And having had our hearts changed by His relentless pursuit of our own souls—now, we too, rejoice over the one sinner who repents, who having been found in Jesus is now our brother—our sister—through faith in Christ. Truly, thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen
Luke 15:1-10
Lost in Joyful Repentance
v.4, 8, and 10 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?...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?...Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Dear friends in Christ, our text from Luke 15 is one of the most beloved chapters in all Holy Scripture. Fore herein St. Luke records for us three parables that relate the lostness of the state of humanity before the Father in heaven, and yet also describes in stunning magnificence the diligent way in which the Lord Jesus seeks out the lost in order to save them—thereby resulting in great joy in heaven.
As always, the context in which Jesus tells these parables is key. "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'" At this point in Jesus' ministry, His popularity among many people is increasing, especially among the outcasts of Jewish society: people like tax collectors (nobody likes the tax man, after all), prostitutes, and other "sinners." Yet, Jesus' willingness to welcome these "undesirable" types of people into His presence was greeted with indignation by the religious leaders of the day—the upright and good citizens—the Scribes and Pharisees—those who knew God's Word best—studied it thoroughly—and devoted themselves to trying to live in accordance with the Law.
However, their close adherence to Scripture was not complete—for while they reveled in the hearing and teaching of the Law—yet they did not fully embrace the application of the Law when it came to their own lives. That is, they did not see their own failures to live up to God's perfect standard, as described by the Ten Commandments, and later further explicated by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. While they had no trouble in fully bringing God's Law to bear on those they considered beneath them—i.e. prostitutes and sinners—yet they never once saw their own stubborn pride and rebellion in their lack of love or hidden desires—which marked them as sinners, too.
Furthermore, they missed the beautiful promises of God in Scripture that declare His willingness—His great love and desire—to rescue people from their sin. They missed the Gospel. That though all people are sinners—yet God in His mercy would save them from their sin via the sacrifice of another—His own perfect Son. And so many of the pious religious people grumbled against the One whom God had sent to be their Savior because they couldn't stand the thought that He would also save the so-called "worst of the worst." They could not see their own great need for repentance, but considered themselves righteous apart from the mercy of God, by virtue of their own works and adherence to the Law. But they were not righteous—no, not one.
And so Jesus, in love for them, speaks to them three parables of increasing significance—the first two of which serve as our text. As the Scribes and Pharisees grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them," indicating their great shock that a Rabbi—a holy and righteous man—would dare to sully Himself with the wicked and lowly—the unrighteous sinners—that He would even share a meal with them—thereby demonstrating to all that He welcomed them fully into His presence—Jesus tells the first of the parables. The parable of the lost sheep.
"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?" What man, indeed, would do such a thing? Does this make any sense? To leave ninety-nine sheep, the bulk of your flock, alone and helpless in the wilderness, to go and seek after one dumb sheep that has wandered away and is lost? That's crazy! That's ludicrous! That's so reckless!
Yet this Good Shepherd does just that. He seeks after the lost sheep, "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.'" Beloved, this is what the Lord Jesus does through the power of His Holy Spirit, working through the Word. He seeks after lost sinners—those who have run away from Him—those who have become separated from His flock—the Holy Church—those who have been led astray by the lies of the devil and the temptations of the flesh and the world. The addicts, the criminals, the violent offenders, the abortionist, the one struggling with their gender identity or their sexual orientation, the liar, the thief, the adulterer, etc. Jesus seeks after them all, calling to them through His Word, that they might repent.
And by God's grace, some do repent. Often it is those who are most broken that are most receptive to the hearing of God's grace for them in Christ Jesus. Those who struggle mightily against things they know to be wrong—who have given themselves over to temptation over and over again—those whom we might consider the lowest and basest of society—those are the ones whom God finds and brings to His heavenly home, carrying them on His shoulders—cradling them in His nail-pierced hands—showing them how His perfect life has become theirs—just as His death has paid for their sins. And when they hear it—the rejoice with great joy! They are overwhelmed by the great love of God for them in Christ. And when this happens, beloved, "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." The joy in heaven over sinners who repent is a sight to behold! For the angels and the saints who reside in God's presence know the great sacrifice of Jesus that was required to bring sinners into glory. The blood of bulls and goats would not suffice. No, indeed, only the holy, innocent blood of God Himself would do—and so Jesus came. Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for many. Jesus came to seek and to save the Lost. Which means Jesus came for you and me.
For you see, in this account from Luke's Gospel, we in the church are more likely to resemble the Scribes and Pharisees. We are more apt to grumble against the Lord for His amazing grace that forgives sinners whom we consider to be so lost and so low. How could God forgive an abusive spouse? How could God forgive the person who encouraged and performed abortions—murdering innocent children? How could God love those who despise marriage—living in open sin and rebellion against God's plan? How could God show mercy to those who spew hatred toward His church, targeting them for persecution?
Yet, beloved, how could God ever forgive those who harden their hearts against their lost and confused neighbor? How could God look with tenderness upon the person who outwardly appears so good and righteous, yet who harbors intense hatred and animosity in their hearts toward their neighbor? Who spreads lies and gossip? Who ridicules the government without upholding them in prayer, as Jesus has commanded? In short, how could God show mercy to you—to me?
We are like that lost, dead coin. Yet the Lord in His mercy diligently seeks us out. He sweeps the house of the world, lights the lamp of His Word to shine so very brightly, and does not cease seeking, until He finds those who are precious to Him—more precious than silver or gold. And when He finds it—when He finds you—He calls the entire host of heaven together and declares, "'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."
Yes, indeed, beloved, despite the dead state of your heart—despite the sin that drives you away from God—yet He does not give up on you—or anyone else. He diligently seeks after you—to give you that one thing needful—repentance. That you might see by the light of His Word that you, too, are a sinner, yet you are a sinner for whom Jesus has died. His blood has washed over you in Baptism, just as His blood nourishes you in His Holy Supper—leading you to rejoice in His goodness and mercy. Mercy that has been given not only to you, but to all people. And this Good News draws people near to Him, like tax collectors and sinners, Scribes and Pharisees—people like you and me. And having had our hearts changed by His relentless pursuit of our own souls—now, we too, rejoice over the one sinner who repents, who having been found in Jesus is now our brother—our sister—through faith in Christ. Truly, thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen