Morning Bible Study: Luke 15:1-10

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15:1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. 

2 And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 

4 “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 

5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 

6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ 

7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance."

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 

9 When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!’ 

10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

Commentary

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, 1706 -- www.christianity.com)

"The parable of the lost sheep is very applicable to the great work of man's redemption. The lost sheep represents the sinner as departed from God, and exposed to certain ruin if not brought back to him, yet not desirous to return. Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home. In the parable of the lost piece of silver, that which is lost, is one piece, of small value compared with the rest. Yet the woman seeks diligently till she finds it. This represents the various means and methods God makes use of to bring lost souls home to himself, and the Savior's joy on their return to him. How careful then should we be that our repentance is unto salvation!"