15th December – Luke 15: “Rejoice With Me!”
Hey friends, welcome to December 15th. Luke 15 is heaven’s favourite chapter, the one that makes angels sing. Tax collectors and sinners are drawing near to Jesus, and the Pharisees grumble: “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” Jesus answers with a parable with three parts that climb like a crescendo, each ending with the same heavenly sentiments: “Rejoice with me!”
Part 1 – The Son Seeking the Lost Sheep (vv. 3-7)
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing… Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost” (vv. 4-6).
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Son who seeks. He doesn’t wait for the sheep to find its way—He goes into the wilderness, over mountains and thorns, until He finds it. Then, gently, He lays it on His shoulders and carries it home.
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (v. 7).
Part 2 – The Spirit Seeking the Lost Coin (vv. 8-10)
“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost” (vv. 8-9).
Here’s the Holy Spirit, lighting the lamp of God’s Word to shine into dark corners, sweeping with conviction to expose our sin and need, searching diligently until the lost is found. That silver coin was likely part of a bride’s headdress, precious and personal. You’re not just a face in the crowd to God; you’re treasured.
“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (v. 10).
Part 3 – The Father Seeking the Lost Son (vv. 11-32)
We know this one… the younger son demands his inheritance, wastes it in the far country, ends up in a pigsty, “comes to himself,” and heads home rehearsing, “Father, I have sinned…”
“But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (v. 20).
The Father, waiting, watching, running (undignified for an Eastern patriarch), embracing the stink of pigs and prodigality, restoring robe, ring, shoes, feast. “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (v. 24).
Even the elder brother’s grumbling can’t dim the celebration.
Three parables, one heartbeat:
The Son seeks and carries.
The Spirit shines and convicts.
The Father runs and restores.
And every time one sinner repents, heaven throws a party: “Rejoice with me!”
Friends, this Christmas, remember: you were the lost sheep on His shoulders, the lost coin under His lamp, the lost son in His arms.
And if you’re still far off, hear the Father running toward you right now.
There’s joy in heaven waiting to break loose over you.
Come home.
See you tomorrow for Luke 16. Grace and peace, and ring the bells of heaven! 🙏