The Heart of Jesus for the Lost: Luke 15:1-2
“1) Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 2) Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”” Luke 15:1-2
Jesus was drawing large crowds. Most of them were tax gatherers, sinners and common people. They were not the typical religious crowd.
They were drawn to His character, compassion, message and many miracles. His teaching was backed up by amazing signs and wonders. There was no hypocrisy in Him. He offered hope and forgiveness for lost sinners.
Upon seeing this, the scribes and Pharisees began to grumble and complain. They became increasingly more critical. They were threatened by Him and they were jealous. He was having a huge impact on the Jewish nation.
This prompted Jesus to share five parables in the next two chapters. We will look at each in detail as we move forward. At this point let me provide a brief preview.
The first three parables represent the three persons of the godhead. The first parable is about the Searching Shepherd. (Luke 15:1-7). It is a picture of Jesus.
The second parable is about the Cleaning Woman. (Luke 15:8-10) She is a picture of the Holy Spirit.
The third parable is about a Loving Father waiting for his prodigal . (Luke 15:11-32) It is a picture of God the Father.
Each of them are seeking and searching for the lost. The shepherd was a 1 % looser. He had 100 sheep and lost one of them. The woman was a 10% looser. She had ten coins and lost one of them. The father was a 50% looser. He had two sons and lost one of them.
The momentum builds through the two chapters. Jesus closes chapter 16 with the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man represents a 100% looser. He had one life, but ended up lost forever in Hades. After death it was too late for him to be saved.
These two chapters provide a wonderful defense of the love and compassion of God to seek and save the lost. They close with a sobering warning of God’s eternal justice for those who reject Jesus Christ.
If you have not trusted in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, these two chapters make a strong case that God is searching for you. Do not reject Him and embrace the pleasures of sin as your god. Your eternal destiny is at stake!
Daily Bible Commentary
By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
