Change of Direction - Luke 15 Part 2

Today, we will continue looking at the three parables in Luke 15: the parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

You might ask, “What is so special about looking at these three parables together?”

I’m glad you asked.

The parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin are very similar. In both stories, something valuable is lost and eventually found. And Jesus specifically tells us what “being found” represents.

It represents a sinner who repents.

Luke 15:7 says:

“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

And Luke 15:10 says:

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The parable of the lost son, however, fleshes out the principles that are introduced in these first two parables.

You don't have to be a genius to figure out what those first two parables are saying. Jesus spells it out for us.

REPENTANCE

First of all, being lost and then found represents a sinner who is lost and then eventually comes to a point where he says, “Enough is enough. I'm tired of living in my sin. From now on, I'm going in a different direction.”

It's an about-face when it comes to sin.

That is repentance.

Repentance doesn't mean perfection. It means a change in direction.

The parable of the lost son illustrates this more fully.

Luke 15:17–19 says:

“But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’”

Notice what happens. He came to his senses.

He recognized where he was. He recognized the consequences of his choices. He acknowledged his sin. And then he made a decision:

“I will get up and go to my father.”

That is repentance.

It is not simply feeling bad about what you've done. It is recognizing your sin and deciding to turn in a different direction.

You may not be perfect after you repent. But repentance means you have made a decision about the direction of your life.

REJOICING

The first two parables also talk about something else: rejoicing.

When the sheep is found, there is rejoicing.

When the coin is found, there is rejoicing.

Jesus tells us that there is rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents.

That's fairly easy for us to understand. We all know what it means to rejoice when something good happens in our lives.

Maybe you stumble onto a really good restaurant that you can actually afford.

Maybe you get a new job.

Maybe you get a new car.

Maybe you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

These are all things that can cause us to rejoice.

But have you ever wondered what gives God great joy?

According to Jesus, one of those things is a sinner who repents.

That's interesting, isn't it?

What brings us joy isn't necessarily the same thing that brings God joy.

Maybe that's something worth thinking about.

Maybe we should learn to find joy in the things that God rejoices in.

And once again, this principle is illustrated more fully in the parable of the lost son.

Luke 15:22–24 says:

“But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

Look at the father's response.

His son was lost.

His son had made terrible choices.

But now he had returned.

And the father didn't respond with rejection. He responded with celebration.

“This son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”

And they began to celebrate.

That's the heart of Luke 15.

Something was lost.

Then it was found.

And when it was found, there was rejoicing.

TWO QUESTIONS

So let me leave you with two questions.

First: Have you repented of your sinful life?

That's what it means to be found after being lost.

Repentance doesn't mean that you're going to be perfect. It means you've made the decision to turn away from your old life of sin and turn toward God.

It is the initial response God calls us to make as we turn to Him for salvation.

Second: Have you learned to find joy in the things that really matter?

Not just the things that make us happy for a moment.

Not just the things that bring us temporary pleasure.

But the things that matter to God.

Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents.

So maybe we should ask ourselves:

Do the things that bring God joy also bring me joy?

That's something worth thinking about.