User:AdamSch/Luke 15 Draft

Lost Sheep
Jesus began with a rhetorical question, "what kind of person (or which one of you) would not look for a missing sheep"? Jesus explained that if someone were to lose one out of ninety-nine sheep, they would abandon the ninety nine in search of the one. After they found it, they would carry it off on their shoulders and invite their neighbors to celebrate.

Jesus likened the joy of finding a lost sheep to the celebration in Heaven over a single repentant sinner, instead of there being celebration for ninety-nine who did not need to repent.

Lost Coin
Christ gave another scenario, "what kind of woman would not look for a coin when she has lost it"? If a woman were to lose one coin out of ten, she would light a lamp and digitently look for it. After finding, she would gather with her friends and rejoice over the rediscovery.

In the same way, Jesus said, the Angels of God rejoice over one repentant sinner.

Prodigal Son
Rather than giving another suppositional scenario, Jesus continued with a narrative to elaborate his point.

Application
Jesus gave the first two scenarios in response to the complaints of Jewish religious legalists, of Jesus welcoming "sinners". In response he gave these two "what-if" or "wouldn't you?" scenarios to establish the point over seeking the lost. After giving his first two points he tells his audience a narrative to further elaborate his point.

Jesus point was when just one sinner (or item) is unrepentant, he would go out of his way to lead them to Salvation; whereas those who did not need to repent where not as important. This may not be referring to those already saved, but is probably talking about "religious" people (such as the Pharisees and Jewish scribes) who did not feel they needed to repent from any sin.