Luke Loved Ratios
Luke 15
Luke Loved Ratios
Luke 15
In the gospel according to Luke, Jesus tells three parables in tandem. In the first parable, Jesus tells of a shepherd that has 100 sheep. He notices that one is missing and then goes out to find it. The shepherd leaves the 99 to find the one. Here, one could assume that 1 out of 100 “sheep” can end up getting lost and need the good shepherd to seek them out, find them, and bring them back into the fold.
The next parables tells of a woman who has 10 coins. She notices that one is missing and so will upturn all the furniture and sweep up the whole house in order to find that one coin. When it is found, the woman rejoices greatly. Here, one could assume that not just 1 out of 100 people end up getting lost, put 1 out 10. 10% of the human population end up getting lost and needing a savior to seek them out. A drastic increase from the 1% seen earlier.
The last parable, and perhaps the most memorable one, is the story of the prodigal son. A man has two sons. One of the sons takes his inheritance and runs off into a land of sin. He breaks the law of God over and over again with his wild living. After squandering his father’s wealth, he is starving and living in a barn with pigs. He then comes to his senses and realizes that he could have food even as a servant in his father’s house and so gets up and starts walking back home. His father, searching for him all this time, finally sees his son coming up over the horizon, runs to embrace him, and forgives him of all wrong. Here, we see that not just 1/100 or 1/10 are lost needing a savior, but 1 out of 2! That is 50% of the human population that end up getting lost and in need of a Good Shepherd to search them out and bring them into the fold.
The series of stories could end here with a great message: God seeks and saves all those that have wandered away. But Jesus has another lesson in mind. Lets keep reading.
After the father in the prodigal son parable brings in his lost son, he has a feast and party for him. The father is overjoyed with his full/complete household until news of his other son reaches him. The older son is outside the house, refusing to come in. He had worked all these years, never once straying from his father’s house or his commands. He loved his father so much that he would have never even thought about betraying him. But when his brother comes back, he is welcomed with open arms, given a place of prominence and is even the central part of a party. His brother has now become his equal once again after his brother betrayed his father, wasted the family fortune, and even took part in ungodly amounts of sin.
The father goes out to his son, searching for him. After finding him he is ready to take him back into the house and rejoice over the matter together as a complete family, but the older son will have none of it. He spends his time complaining to his father about his brother and refuses to take one step inside. He wants justice but only sees mercy. And this angers him.
The parable, ending the series of parables, ends with the son standing outside the house, lost. And here we see the shocking reality that Jesus is trying to paint for us: it isn’t 1 out of 100, 1 out of 10, or even 1 out of 2 that wander off, getting lost, needing mercy and forgiveness from a savior. Two out of two sons end up being lost. 100%, the whole thing, the whole of humanity, all those inside churches, all those inside homeless shelters, all those inside mansion are in need of being found.
May we see God’s mercy as something to rejoice in with others, something to take part in, something to invite others to, something that humbles us as we become equals to even the most distant of sinners. May we see God’s mercy as something to rejoice and not as a stumbling block.
Announcements:
Invite any youth to attend the 9:45 Youth Group on Sunday Mornings. Daniel and Emily Mendez are leading this.
We are working on creating an Advent Devotional Book written by our church for our church (as well as anyone else that would like to read it). If you are interested in writing a 1-2 page devotional for this advent season, please contact Pastor Steven. We would love to have as many people involved in this as possible.
Coming Soon! Children’ s Christmas Musical! More information will be provided as we get closer to the Christmas season.
Adult Sunday School Classes - 9:45
Youth Sunday School Classes -9:45 (Up stairs)
Mitchell and Sarah Davidson are hosting a weekly Bible Study at their house on Thursdays (6-8)
Their address and number are listed below
Fall Festival/Harvest Festival will be Oct. 25.
We are looking for two more volunteers to be greeters at the doors.
We also are looking for two more people to help with serving food.
Sign up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary
Children’s Church (Preschool and Elementary School) Sunday School teachers are need
Sign up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary
Trail Life 2-3pm each Sunday
Ask Pastor Steven or Damon Hargraves for more information
Church Weekly Schedule
Sunday worship at 11am
Sunday School at 9:45am
I am teaching through the Gospel According to Matthew
Youth Group! Daniel and Emily Mendez are heading up the Youth Group Bible Study at 9:45
Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm
Thursday Bible Study with Mitchell and Sarah 6-8pm
Mitchell’s cell number: 907-942-0381
address: 1815 E Rezanof Dr.
Trail Life each Sunday from 2-3pm
Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday
I have an open sign (if it is on, I am here)
If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone
Call or text me 972-921-2516
Email steven@kodiakcbc.org
