Luke 15:1, 2  Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them!” (NLT)

—

Jesus told three of his most famous stories in response to what happened in these two verses. He first told about a woman who lost one of her ten coins, most likely from her dowry. It was the money she and her future husband would use to build a home. It’s as if you or I had $100,000 in savings and somehow misplaced $10,000. That’s a significant loss. 

He told next about a lost sheep. Ninety-nine were safe and snuggled together like cotton balls and dozing away in Dreamland. But one was lost. Sheep are especially vulnerable to predators. Their defenses are meager. They tend to wander off in search of the next tasty tuft of grass or the next cool drink of clean water. Aren’t you glad Jesus comes looking for jersey number 00 when you’re wearing it?

He told last of all about the most important loss a family can experience. There were two sons. One took his inheritance and lived quite well for a season. Then, when he had nothing left, he determined to return in shame to his father and offer himself as a slave in the business where he would have been a co-owner before he blew all of his bed and breakfast money. 

Note the ratios: 1:10, 1:100, and 1:2. We typically consider the number to the right of the colon to give us the value of the ratio. This is a mistake in these stories in Luke 15. The more important number is the one on the left. It’s always 1, and Jesus is the One. 

He comes looking for every lost soul. You may feel like you are one in a hundred, and Jesus has enough little fluffballs that he won’t miss you. This is demonstrably false. 

You may feel like you are one in ten, and Jesus has enough to build a good, solid home without you. This, too, is demonstrably false. 

You may feel like you have wasted your whole life and everything you ever hoped to enjoy because your older brother is home taking care of business, and you are no longer necessary. This, too, is demonstrably false. 

Jesus is for losers.

He loves every single woman, every single sheep, and every single sibling. He doesn’t want any coin, lamb, or child to remain lost. He seeks them until he finds them. 

Confident that you know how the story about the two sons goes, you will remember well what happens in verse 20. If not, refresh your memory here:

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”

Jesus sweeps for lost coins. 

Jesus searches for lost sheep. 

Jesus runs to lost children. 

Parents, never give up on your prodigals.

Prodigals, you cannot outrun Jesus. Whichever way you run, Jesus is running toward you. This sounds a bit like the end of Psalm 23, doesn’t it?

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me 
all the days of my life, 
and I will live in the house of the Lord 
forever.

Jesus deploys all of his goodness and unfailing love in seeking you, finding you, and celebrating your return. 

Jesus wants you home with him forever, and in every moment between now and forever. 

Stop running and find out how Jesus is better than you ever imagined. 

Stop running and find the life better than everything you ever dreamed. 

Stop running and find yourself at home with him now and forever. 

You are worth more than you know. You are loved beyond limits. Your party awaits your presence. 

Come home to Jesus.

—

I will rest in the truth of God’s seeking and redeeming love. 

—

Our Father, thank you for loving tax collectors, notorious sinners, and prostitutes. Thank you for welcoming black-hearted sinners into your forever home. Thank you for seeking us even when we don’t realize how lost we are. Thank you for pursuing us in your perfect goodness and unfailing love. Thank you for welcoming prodigals home with enthusiastic love and enfolding embrace. Amen.