Lost
by John Sainsbury
Looking at the above verses from Luke’s gospel, what Luke records as one parable turns out to be three. All of them relate to the joy and celebration of finding or retrieving something that was lost. But why tell three stories that essentially cover the same idea? Why didn’t Jesus simply tell one?
Maybe it’s something to do with emphasising a point? Perhaps it’s similar to the way the Seraphs in Isaiah 6:3 cry out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty”. Their repetition reinforces the point that this God is totally set apart from everything else. He’s not just holy, but holy, holy, holy!
Maybe Jesus knows that it’ll take more than one story to really get the attention of those who are listening but who can’t understand why Jesus would choose to welcome ‘sinners’. The Pharisees and teachers of the law are those who prescribe what – and whom - God’s people are allowed to engage with. ‘Sinners’ fell well outside any bounds of acceptability and they’re confronted and shocked by Jesus getting close to people they would rather steer well clear of.
Or maybe Jesus tells three parables to make a further point.
In the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7), the good shepherd leaves the rest of his flock and goes out looking for the one that is lost. Jesus referred to himself as the good shepherd (John 10:11); the one who comes to seek and to save that which was lost.
In the parable of the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), the woman who has lost one of her valuable silver coins lights a lamp to help find it (Luke 15:8). The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit bringing illumination in the life of a believer (John 14:26).
And what of the third parable in the series; the parable of the lost son(s)? The central character here is more realistically the good Father. He’s the one who grants his wayward son’s desire for his inheritance, grieves as he goes off to waste every bit of it, but then watches endlessly for his son to come home. When he finally turns back and returns, the good Father runs to greet him (Luke 15:11-27).
Could it be that Jesus tells three parables to demonstrate that all three persons of the divine Godhead are actively involved in the work of salvation of any who are lost?
Whatever the reason, one thing is for sure, there is great rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who repents.
The very people that the religious leaders think Jesus should avoid are actually the ones God is interested in finding!
John Sainsbury and his wife Sue are part of the leadership team at Ellel Grange. John has served as a church leader for many years, most recently as Lead Pastor of the Garstang Free Methodist Church. He has a passion for seeing many brought into the fulness of life that following Christ brings.
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