THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
Opening Prayer
Father in heaven, I am grateful that my security is sure in you. As I read your Word today, help me to discover new reasons to trust you, to stand firm in my walk with you.
Read LUKE 15:1–10
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 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: 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? 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[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds 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.”
Footnotes
- Luke 15:8 Greek ten drachmas, each worth about a day’s wages
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
As we think about this well-known parable, are there those you know who are like the lost sheep in the story because they have wandered away from God?Modern shepherding involves sheepdogs, mobile phones, and quad bikes. It’s hard work, but very different from biblical times, when shepherds often had a relationship with their flock.
Jesus told this story in response to the Pharisees’ ongoing hostility (vv. 1, 2). They had just complained that Jesus was associating with sinners so, once again, he let them have it! His listeners were all too familiar with the scenario of a runaway sheep. However, shepherds in those days—many of whom were not renowned for their integrity—might have weighed the cost and left a lost creature to its fate, so there was a twist…
This parable should be called ‘The good shepherd’ (vv. 3–7). Later, Jesus would describe himself in this way, his ministry to his ‘flock’ culminating in the ultimate sacrifice (John 10:11–18). The message is clear. God actively seeks those who are ‘lost’ and rejoices when they are ‘found.’ When the lost are rescued, it leads to restoration and new life in his presence. The second parable of the lost coin reminds us just how precious we are to God (Deuteronomy 14:2).
Apply
We may have been rescued by God, but following his way, rather than ours, is a daily process. Each time—like sheep—we turn away from our loving Shepherd, he searches for us and rescues us. How can you thank him?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, rescue and protect those who have wandered from you. Find those who are lost; bring them into your fold of love and safety.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.