04.15.2016 New Testament: Luke 15.4

To read the Bible in a year, read Luke 15.1–10 on April 15, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

Do you run a business? If you had 100 machines producing a product, and one breaks down. Do you ignore it? No, quite the opposite, you will give all your attention to that machine until it is up and running again.

The Pharisees and scribes criticized Jesus for receiving and eating with sinners. He responded,

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15.4).

Now that makes sense. Sinners are like broken down machines, or lost sheep, and the owner must give His attention to them, because He does not want to lose one, and if you are that one, do you not appreciate His endless care for you?

Questions:

• If you are a member in good standing with your congregation, does it bother you when elders and preachers give more of their time to strengthen the weak, and comfort the afflicted?
• What could you do to help restore the lost one?