Sunday Luke Recap

Sunday's Text

Luke 15:1-32  The Lost Sheep, Coin, Son

Sermon Notes For Discussion

Sunday Recap of the week... by Elaine Pierce

Reflections on Luke 5:12 - Luke 8:56. 

In these four chapters, Luke records eight healings and miracles of Jesus. But this is only the tip of the iceberg, as we read in Luke 7:21:

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.  

I suspect that if every healing and every miracle that Jesus performed was recorded in scripture, our Bibles would be much, much thicker. It is evident that Jesus has compassion on those who are suffering, those who are in poverty, and those who are downcast in spirit.  Listen to these words again that Jesus tells his followers:

Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.  (7:22)

You might be thinking to yourself, well, thank goodness, I'm not blind, or lame, or poor, or dealing with a debilitating disease. What does Jesus have to offer me? Thank goodness I don't need him that much - I'll go ahead and live my life, and those who are truly needy can call on him. That will keep him busy enough.

I think if we're all honest, we have had thoughts like that. Certainly, it is gratifying to be able to say "I can do it myself. God gave me a brain, and I'll take it from there." Ah, my dear friends, we in the West have been blessed materially. We are rarely hungry, we rarely suffer from the cold, we always have enough food and drink. Let's turn back to Luke 6 and read about people who could be just like us:

But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort  Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.  Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.  Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. (6:24-26).

Yes, these 4 chapters have much to teach us. As we continue in this season of Lent, let's thank God for what we have, and remember that all of it comes from him. Perhaps God will show me - and you  - a way we can come alongside those we can serve, and in that service, recognize that the Lord is compassionate, gracious, and merciful, and that in our service we can bring glory to Him.  

Rejoicing Over Sinners Who Repent

Prayer Practice

Lectio – This is a familiar passage.  So, read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

 

DAILY READING

Luke 15:1-32

REFLECTION

The Joy of Finding the Lost

by Mary McGinnis

The feelings of loss, how would you describe it? There is a pit in your stomach, a heart wrenching ache, a feeling of overwhelming sadness, a black hole of emptiness, the bottomless pit of an infinite void. We feel it when something of great value or worth has been plucked right out of our hands. When or where have you experienced a deep loss in your life, in the past, over this past year, or even right now?

Have you ever considered that God too can feel that kind of pain and suffering of loss?  

In today’s reading, Jesus tells three parables about things that had been lost.

Can you feel the Shepherd’s pain when he counts his sheep and only finds 99? What has happened to the ONE? Where is this One who has wandered away, the One not only lost, but going in the completely opposite direction? What is the Shepherd willing to do to rescue this wayward One?

The Shepherd seeks the lost One – He is willing to leave behind the 99 who are safely in the fold to rescue the One who wander away. 

Can you feel the pain of the widow who after counting her coins, and finds that one of her valuable 10 coins is lost? What is she willing to do to find that lost coin? 

The Widow seeks the lost One – She is willing to relentlessly pursue the One which lies stagnate somewhere out of sight, unable to help itself. She did not just count her nine coins and write off the 10^th as lost. Night and day, she kept seeking.

Can you feel the pain of the loving father, who watches his son walk away, knowing he is going to end up in ruins? How does that father feel, day after day, as he hears nothing from his son? Does he lose hope when he constantly scans the horizons for any sign that his lost son is returning home? What is this father willing to do to restore this lost son?

The Father seeks the lost One – He runs toward the One who had betrayed him, the One who was feels unworthy and full of shame and restores him to his place in the family.

In sharp contrast, the Pharisees were ONLY interested in protecting their pride, their own worthiness, value, and superiority. The “us” versus “them” mindset had them locked into complaining about these worthless dregs of society, whom they felt should be discarded as rejects. Nothing would have made them happier than to see themselves as “in” and these “sinner” cast out! 

Jesus associating with the likes of these and accepting them into his circle of influence was like a slap in their faces. 

 

Jesus wanted them (and us) to see the heart of the Shepherd, the Widow, and the Father whose heart ached at the loss of those who seemed insignificant, valueless, or unworthy.  

When these lost Ones were found, there was exuberantly REJOICING.  Their rejoicing spilled over into an invitation to everyone to rejoice along with them.  

Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking me when I have wandered, been stuck in stagnation, helplessly lost or overwhelmed with shame.  You have restored me to life as Your beloved child.  Keep me from the pride of the “us” versus “them” mentality.  Show me Your heart and fill me with the joy of participating with You in Your work of seeking and restoring those who are lost.