The Lost Sheep: Gods Heart for the Wanderer: A Study fo Luke 15:3-7

This parable is of the same genre as the Parable of the Lost Sheep above. Again, the focus is the great joy that bursts forth when a precious lost treasure is recovered. We also gain insight as to one of the ways that we might discover our true selves and the kingdom of God within us—Repentance! This parable is somewhat more lengthy and complex but follows the similar pattern of great hero stories. Yet he enters the great city or the world and engages in riotous living. The royal image within him is dimmed and then forgotten. Yet, in the darkest moment the spirit awakens within him the knowledge of the truth, of his true identity and the royal lineage that is his.

He begins to recognize the kingdom of God within him and as he embraces that reality he turns and leaves behind the swine and grime of the world. Great rejoicing erupts when he is once again safely home. Like the woman who found the precious treasure, like the man who discovered the beloved sheep wandering in the lone and dreary wilderness, a celebration of rejoicing is initiated by the father on behalf of the son who has discovered his true identity and returned home.

This truly is a great hero story and a great healing story. Now lest we think that the divine spark which enlightens and enlivens us is a passport to a life without spiritual responsibilities, Jesus shares several short thoughts of wisdom in Luke These saying were originally delivered to his disciples to encourage them not to forget their duties to forgive their brethren, an important element of repentance both for the sinner and the afflicted.

Jesus underscores the importance of forgiveness by reminding them that they are chosen servants in the kingdom of God and as servants they are expected to obey if they desire the promised blessings. Apparently the disciples needed this encouragement as they plead with the Lord to increase their courage and faith to live as he had taught them. Next we have a story of ten lepers. Notice that earlier we had a parable of ten precious coins and one was found. The ten lepers story follows a similar format. In many ways, we are like lepers who have been overcome with the diseases of a fallen world.

Christ will cleanse us and our faith will make us whole. Yet we can learn from the stranger of this passage, indeed a Samaritan, that we must never forget who has bought us, who has saved us and what price was offered that we might no longer be strangers but fellow citizens in the kingdom of God. In this episode the Pharisees come to Jesus seeking sure knowledge of the coming of the kingdom of God.

Yet they had failed to recognize, and Christ was quick to point out, that the kingdom would not be revealed as some glorious manifestation but rather was evident in each of those who exercised faith unto repentance, living the lives of committed servants to the Heavenly King. The kingdom was to be found through the quiet introspection of contrition.

Turning to his disciples, Christ then instructed them on signs of the times for his expected coming. He had already taught them to find the kingdom of God within, but they had to also understand how to navigate the events that occurred around them, lest they be deceived. They will stand in holy places and be gathered in with the saints while the world continues to wallow in darkness and confusion. God knows his people. Do we know ourselves?

About Taylor Halverson

Do we recognize who we are? Have we let the Spirit search our hearts and reveal the stunning truth of our origin and divine possibilities? Or do we presently feel lost? Do we believe in the reality of the at-one-ment, that great power to bring all truth into one great whole uniting and binding the souls of the righteous to God? We can be reclaimed. We can be found. We can be recognized by God and by ourselves, our true selves. Let us open our hearts and discover ourselves as we discover him.

Designing Innovative Study Tools. Taylor has published and presented widely on scripture, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, teaching, and learning more at taylorhalverson. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting. Help us improve Interpreter Radio by sending us an email with your suggestions for topics we can discuss. Please prove you are human by selecting the Heart. Your e-mail address will never be shared with anyone else or used for other purposes.

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The Lost Sheep: God's Heart for the Wanderer: A Study of Luke 15:3-7

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