Easy Bible・Luke 15

God's Joy in Finding the Lost

Key Passages

About this Chapter

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables to illustrate God's joy in finding the lost. The first parable is about a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to search for the one that is lost. When he finds it, he joyfully carries it home. The second parable is about a woman who loses a coin and diligently searches for it until she finds it. She also rejoices and calls her friends to celebrate. The third and most well-known parable is about a father who has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance and squanders it in wild living. When he realizes his mistake, he returns home and his father welcomes him with open arms, throwing a grand celebration. These parables teach us that God deeply cares about each and every person, no matter how lost they may be. He actively seeks out those who are lost and rejoices when they are found. The parables also highlight the importance of repentance and forgiveness. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son all represent people who have strayed away from God, but when they repent and turn back to Him, they are welcomed with love and joy. As followers of Jesus, we are called to have the same heart of compassion and joy for the lost. We should actively reach out to those who are far from God, sharing the good news of salvation and showing them the love and forgiveness that we have received. These parables remind us of the incredible grace and mercy of God, and encourage us to extend that grace and mercy to others.