Chapter 15
This chapter is truly one of the most profound in the Bible. It has far-reaching consequences. I want to encourage you all to share this particular chapter through any media you can, so that as many people as possible have the chance to understand what Jesus is saying to everyone.
Jesus tells a parable here—not three parables, but one single story, like a song with three stanzas. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that there are three parts. The first involves a shepherd, the second a woman, and the third a father. Even that alone holds deep meaning when you think about the roles of the Son, the Holy Spirit, and Father God. It lays a strong foundation for understanding the whole story.
The first part is about a lost sheep. I can really relate to that. Before I came to Jesus, I was so lost—not just spiritually, but emotionally and even physically. I remember times when I would just drive around the city, not knowing where I was going, just searching for something to give my life meaning. I was that lost sheep. I knew I was lost, but I had no idea how to be found—until Jesus found me and brought me home.
Even after becoming a Christian, I’ve sometimes felt like the lost coin. I knew the Father loved me. I knew I was valuable to Him. But I didn’t realize I wasn’t really serving a purpose. That’s the strange thing about a lost coin—it doesn’t know it’s lost. It’s content with where it is. It can lie under a couch for years and never care. Only the owner knows its true value. Many times, the Holy Spirit found me and moved me to where I could fulfill my purpose—where I could do the most good. The Holy Spirit always knows what I’m capable of, even when I don’t.
Sadly, I can also relate to the son. There have been times in my life when I knowingly chose the wrong path. I walked away from my Father’s house and wanted to “do life” on my own. I knew the family I belonged to, but I wanted to experience the world with all its glitz and charm. I wanted to be free—only to find out that the freedom I chased became a worse kind of bondage. I had experienced God’s unconditional love, and then I turned my back on it.
I felt the shame when the world let me down. I was embarrassed at the thought of coming back. I didn’t believe I would be taken seriously as a believer in Christ. I felt the sting of losing the best thing I ever had—a relationship with Jesus and with my brothers and sisters in Christ. But like the prodigal son, and by God’s mercy, I took a step back toward Him with a humble heart—and there was the Father, standing and waiting for me to come home.
I believe many of us have similar stories. This parable shows us that we are always on the Father’s mind—from the time we are lost sheep, to our daily walk, and even when we go astray. The message is clear: it’s never too late. God is always with us. You are never too far for God to reach you.
If you are the sheep—searching but unsure where to go—this is your call. The Good Shepherd, Jesus, is calling for you. He will carry you home if you trust in Him.
If you are the coin—trust that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you to the place He has prepared for you. Rest in the knowledge that you are in His hands and that you are valuable, no matter where life takes you.
If you are the lost son—take heart. You are not alone. The Father and His family are waiting for you to come home. You will not be rejected by God. You have not sinned too much for God. The cross that saved you is the same cross that can restore you. God has never stopped loving you.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: [singular] 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? [He leaves and goes to find it; he doesn’t just sit around waiting for it to show up again. He knows the sheep is lost. He knows the more time he waits to go find it, the greater the risk of it being lost forever.] 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? [notice it was not just a hope the coin would turn up, she was actively looking for it.] 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [Something that would be completely unheard of as a Jew, as pigs were unclean. This emphasizes how bad the situation was for the young man.] 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, [this implies the son was raised right, he knew the right way, but allowed himself to become overcome by the desires of the world. Now that he experienced the real fruits of the world, he finally came back to his senses; the right path.] he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [a postured heart of humility] make me like one of your hired servants.’ [His focus wasn’t to get back “home” but to his “father”] 20 So he got up and went to his father. [How many times do we have the thought of repentance, but fail to “get up and go.” This shows us there is more to repentance than just thinking and praying about it. It shows there is an application of repentance.] “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger [a sign of reconnection with the family/father.] and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 ” ‘My son,’[Literal: Dear Child] the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. [The father reminds the oldest son he is dear to him, and that everything the father has still belongs to the son. Nothing had changed his inheritance. The younger son will still have consequences of his choices, however, the father reminds him in the following verse what was more important than just things.] 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “
