Luke 15:1-10 (NRSV)
Read Luke 15:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 15Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. Verse 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." Verse 3So he told them this parable: Verse 4"Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? Verse 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. Verse 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Verse 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Verse 8"Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? Verse 9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Verse 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Devotion
The instructions were simple, "Stay with the flock and follow me," the shepherd told the sheep. Maybe it lingered too long on a patch of grass, looked up and thought, "Where did they all go?" Maybe the sheep sat down in the grass, fell asleep, and only awakened long after the flock had moved on. Or maybe, the sheep had wandered off to a nearby stream for to slake its thirst. Jesus never explained how the sheep got lost. He emphasized that when lost, the shepherd takes the time to find it again.
We too are prone to get lost in our thoughts, plans, dreams, work, hobbies, etc. We intend no malice. It happens. We get lost and our relationship with Christ and the church wanes. Christ pursues us to carry us back to the church where he nourishes us through the Word and the bread and wine.
Prayer
Loving Shepherd, when we are lost you go out of your way to find us. Thank you for welcoming each of us, sinners, to your table to feast on the meal of abundant grace found in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.