Text: Luke 15:1-10
6 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.’ 7 Just 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.
Jesus came for sinners and we can joy in the good news that He has found you and me!
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus]. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
The charge against Jesus has always been harsh. “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” How might that reflect on you and me? Are you accused of being like those with whom you associate?
Interesting, is it not? Jesus came for sinners and that very fact has the Pharisees and scribes grumbling.
Ill.
Years ago in the distant eons of the 1970's I was playing at a club in Wyandotte and a young Priest came with a friend of mine to hear us play. As we talked during a break he remarked: “I wonder what my parish would think of me hanging out in a bar and listening to a rock band?”
And then he said: “It is probably the place I should be and the place I could do the most good.”
When you think about it … where did Jesus spend most of his time? And who did he spend that time with? For sure He was among the people, but here and in many other places in scripture He was with the Pharisees, rulers, scribes and the Jewish leaders teaching … and rebuking … and calling.
What does that say about sinners? They’re everywhere; in the church and out of the church. Those who are piously leading religious lives … or so the impression seems and those who are far away from God … at a bar … hanging out … or so the impression seems.
For Jesus and in His day the perceptions were the same. Some who seemed religious were not and those who were seen as sinners, as in the stories of tax collectors and adulterers, were those God called to faith and used as witnesses to the working of God - through the word - in their lives by His Spirit.
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “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?
Ill.
As a manager in a music business I had the owner’s trust. Having keys for three stores I would leave my home in Waterford, stop at his store on Dixie Hwy. and pick up the bank deposit and then go to the Bloomfield Hills store dropping off the money and paperwork for Waterford, and the Plymouth Store that I managed. Each day I handled the business and cash for at least two stores.
One day, I helped my co-worker Alan sell a guitar. At times the drivers delivering and picking up pianos picked up the paper work and cash as well returning it to the office. When it came time for commissions to be paid, Alan didn’t have the guitar sale I helped him with on his paperwork. I looked everywhere and called all the stores and my boss. It was nowhere to be found. The guitar was listed in inventory and there was no sale. It was like it vanished.
I felt terrible. I for one had responsibility for my worker at Plymouth – to see that he got paid for what he sold and to my owner to see that he received the money he had coming. It was nowhere to be found.
After much searching though and talks we all decided to move on my boss told me “Russ it is not that I don’t value the guitar sale but we have to get back to doing business.” It was baffling … but we had business to do.
Over a year later, I had some dead time at the store and decided to clean my desk. Also my briefcase was full of old and outdated paperwork and contracts. As I got rid of that I noticed what looked to be a dollar at the bottom back of the briefcase. As I reached for it I was surprised to pull out six one hundred dollar bills and the contract for one guitar sale for Alan.
I called my boss, “Ben, do you remember that deal on the lost guitar over a year ago?” “Yes”, he said. Well, it was in my briefcase and it will be in the bank today! He said thanks and hung up. He didn’t sound real happy while I was ecstatic.
I talked to his son Jim later that day. “Did you hear about the lost guitar?” I asked. “Yes I did great news!” he said, “Your dad didn’t seem too excited.” “Well, he was mad … said you need to be more careful in dealing with these things and not so careless with the companies money.” I told him, “Dad … be thankful, you have an honest employee. That is worth so much more than $600.”
In our lives losing money can be important. For the Lord it is people, you and me, who have great value to him.
Jesus came for you dear friends - the one lost sheep - just as each one of us are lost at birth. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those that were lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Sinners need Jesus and His Word and Spirit in their lives; or everything is hopeless.
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
The place of strength … the high Priest’s shoulders is where the sheep is carried.
Jesus carries the lost sheep that have been found upon his shoulders as the parable continues.
6 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.’ 7 Just 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.
The joy of the Good Shepherd is you!
The joy for sinners is that you are not so lost that Jesus can’t find you. As He says in the parable of the lost coin:
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?
Jesus Christ by the working of His Holt Spirit will continue to seek you.
9 And when 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.’
Objects are lost because people look where they are not - instead of where they are.
Or, as might be said: People are lost because we preach the gospel where they are not - instead of where they are.
10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Maybe Father Mike was right and being where people need to hear the good news is important.
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
Jesus will find the lost because He will never stop seeking you and those who need to hear this blessed joy that:
Christ came for sinners. Rejoice dear friends … he came for you and you are the Lords!
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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