The Lost Sheep
The world Jesus was born into had lost sight of who God is--much like today. With three interrelated parables (The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son) in Luke 15, Jesus explains himself and his purpose (God’s autobiography). Jesus is addressing two tendencies of people: (1) those who try to earn their way to heaven, and (2) those who run from God and his ways.
In these parables, Jesus answers the Pharisees’ question as to why he genuinely befriends and deeply accepts those who run from God. What may seem rather odd is that the main theme of all three parables is Jesus’ defining—more accurately redefining--repentance. Without accepting Jesus’ definition of repentance, we are prone to measuring ourselves constantly. And our self-assessments, like a pendulum’s swing, moves from self-satisfaction to self-rejection.
Luke 15: 4 – 7
Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” 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.