2. Context
To understand the parables we must first check
out verses 1 & 2
• Pharisees – religious people who took the law
of Moses very seriously
• Tax collectors – raising funds for the army of
occupation and probably corrupt
• “Sinners” – people who were obviously not
seeking to follow God’s ways
• To eat with someone implied acceptance
3. What does it mean to be lost?
• Lost is a key word in the chapter
• The sheep and the coin were owned
• The coin and the sheep had no concept of
being lost
• The lost son was having a good time in the
beginning
• The sheep and the coin were unable to help
themselves
• It’s possible to be lost and unaware of the fact
4. He came to seek
• The shepherd places himself in danger
• The woman turns the place ‘upside down’
• Jesus was prepared to be criticised
• He seeks because he values what is lost
• Our God is seeking the lost
• The mission of Jesus is to seek and to save
5. He is able to save
• While we were powerless (Romans 5:6)
• “He joyfully puts it on his shoulders”
• “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the
lambs in his arms and carries them close to his
heart; he gently leads those that have
young.”(Isaiah 40:11)
• “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before
him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
(Hebrews 12:2)
6. Rejoice with me
• Rejoicing is found in all three parables
• Angels rejoice
• “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will
your God rejoice over you.” (Isaiah 62:5)
• “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to
save. He will take great delight in you, he will
quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you
with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
• “This man welcomes sinners and eats with
them”
7. Rejoice with me
• Rejoicing is found in all three parables
• Angels rejoice
• “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will
your God rejoice over you.” (Isaiah 62:5)
• “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to
save. He will take great delight in you, he will
quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you
with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
• “This man welcomes sinners and eats with
them”
