Understanding the Heart of God – The Lost Sheep #3 of 5

Our journey begins in a unique setting. Jesus is being criticized by the religious.

Luke 15:1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." NIV

The Pharisees and the teachers had fallen into the same trap that so easily waylays many of us. They stumbled over the misconception that the Forgiver’s mission was about them. They were being ignored, while He spent time and energy relating to sinners. It’s not that they were not important, also. Jesus had spent many hours teaching in synagogues, answering the questions of scribes and Pharisees, but when He turned His attention to the lost, the religious muttered about their perceived slight.

Notice that the Forgiver does not have harsh words for the Pharisees on this point. Instead the Master Teacher turns His attention to them and in three parables seeks to help them understand how He feels about lost people, sinners. He desired that the religious understand His heart.

He tells them a story.

Luke 15:3-7
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. NIV

Notice how He engages their hearts. Jesus makes up a story about one of them owning 100 sheep and losing one. They have ownership. One of theirs is lost. Like every individual the Pharisees could see themselves mounting a search to find their lost sheep. The Forgiver goes further. When a lost sheep is found, everyman there could understand the reason to call his friends and neighbors to celebrate.

This is the first curtain lifted on understanding the heart of God. The lost are His, and He will search them out and when they are found, heaven rejoices. Those who understand His heart, understand His passion to save the lost. It is worth rejoicing and celebrating when that which has been lost is found.

But the heart of the Father is deeper still.