So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost,’” (Luke 15:4-6, ESV).

The three parables of Luke 15 are preceded by Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners followed by the grumbling of the Pharisees and scribes. The three parables should convict the religious leaders, but they say they have never been slaves of anyone. Nor have they ever been lost. In fact, they certainly have no need of repentance at all.

Common to all three parables is the joyful celebration that comes when the lost are found. Dear friends, we confess that we were “lost and condemned persons” on account of our sinfulness. However, as the hymnwriter notes, “Love that found me – wondrous thought! – Found me when I sought Him not,” (LSB 611 v. 2). God sent His beloved Son to seek and to save the lost.

Our hope is that our congregations are full of rejoicing over the lost sheep being found, over sinners repenting and over wayward children returning home to their loving Father. The Gospel fills us with joy because we are still in need of God’s forgiveness and grace, and He always delivers. Even in this Lenten season, there is still the joy of Christ’s restoring love that fills our hearts as those called out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

Prayer – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to seek and to save the lost. Spare us from pride and arrogance so that we may welcome into Your flock all those whom Your Spirit calls so that we may rejoice at Your mercy and grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Fraternally in Christ,

President Lee Hagan