Who is the real audience (vs 2,3) as Jesus tells these stories of lost-ness? It is not those who are called ‘sinners’, but those who have need of repentance (v 7); those, in fact, who are the religious leaders of that day. The climax comes in the familiar story of the lost sons – and yes, that’s plural, as we will discover tomorrow. 

The Pharisees set high standards, and expected everyone to keep their rules and regulations. Nor would they associate with those who did not (v 2). Their God was a strict God. They would never have dreamed of a God who went out searching for the lost (v 4). They wouldn’t have considered themselves as being among the lost, either. They thought God would obliterate the sinners, not search lovingly to bring them home (vs 6,7). 

These stories have a wonderful progression, from one hundred (v 3) to ten (v 8) to two (v 11). No matter how many there are to begin with, the lost one is needed for completion. And who searches for the missing one (vs 4,8,20)? Some commentators have suggested  that these stories can be seen as metaphors for the Holy Trinity: the Son, who described himself as the Good Shepherd; the Holy Spirit, recalled in the penetrating, searching thoroughness of the woman; and God the Father. 

‘The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn’t have been complete without you.’¹

Perhaps Jesus’ most controversial activity is his consistent, personal, generous engagement with those on the margins of society. Throughout the Gospels, we see him lovingly close to those whom religious people consider sinful and scandalous. The true scandal is that the Pharisees’ pious faith actually led them further away from the heart of God, for they were convinced that real holiness meant a separation from anything perceived not to live up to their religious standards. They were too concerned about being tainted to recognise God’s image and likeness in broken people.

Today’s two stories reveal God’s heart in glorious technicolour – he is a God who searches relentlessly for lives that are lost: the shepherd with his sheep and the woman with her coin. This is the God whom Jesus consistently reveals, both in his teaching and in his actions. We may be able to understand a God who forgives sinners who come to him for mercy, but a God who tenderly searches out sinners must possess an extraordinarily generous kind of love. This is the love which prompted Jesus to come to earth and give his life; this is the kind of love God has for you.

Perhaps even more shockingly, he is the God who loves to throw big parties. He rejoices in welcoming sinners and dining with them – and he invites us, in both of the stories, to ‘Rejoice with me’ (vs 6,9). Can we celebrate in this joyful way, when someone lost is found, when someone in profound need of redemption and healing receives it?

Does the way you live look like the God revealed in these stories? Does your relationship with God lead you to broken people, embodying the searching, seeking, rejoicing, partying love of Jesus?  Or is it more like the sombre religiosity and rules of the Pharisees, separating yourself from messy people?

¹ Frederick Buechner, b 1926