Luke 15:11-24

Luke 15:1    All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him.  ²  The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 

Luke 15:3    Jesus told them this parable:  ⁴  “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it?  ⁵  And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders.  ⁶  When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’  ⁷  In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives. 

Luke 15:8    “Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it?  ⁹  When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’  ¹⁰  In the same way, I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.” 

Luke 15:11    Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons.  ¹²  The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them.  ¹³  Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living. 

Luke 15:14    “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need.  ¹⁵  He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.  ¹⁶  He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything.  ¹⁷  When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death!  ¹⁸  I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  ¹⁹  I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’ 

²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. 

“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. 

²¹  Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’  ²²  But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet!  ²³  Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting ²⁴  because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 

Listening to God: Your unfaithfulness does not change my faithfulness to you.  Your sin does not erase our relationship.  Jesus died on the cross so sin would not have the last word between us.  Turn and take one step in my direction, and I will run to meet you.  You cannot imagine how the angels rejoice when they see you turn for home.

Journal or lift up your prayers and reflections to God.  

*Our season of prayer guide comes from Joan Gray’s book, Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice.