Lesson 150 - Junior
Memory Verse
"The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 18:10).
Notes
Drawing Near to Jesus
While Jesus was teaching, publicans and sinners drew near to Him so they could hear what He had to say. Jesus never turned any person away who had come to Him with a hungry heart to hear His words. By hearing and believing Jesus, the sinners could be saved ([JHN:5:24]), for "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Instead of turning men away, Jesus drew near to those who drew near to Him ([JAM:4:8]).
The scribes and Pharisees, even though they were religious, had a different feeling toward others. They complained because Jesus was kind to the sinners and permitted them to listen to His teachings. Their accusation and complaint against Jesus was true - He did receive sinners. His purpose of coming into this world was to save sinners ([1TM:1:15]).
The thing wrong with the saying of the Pharisees was the manner in which they said it. Every Christian says the same thing, but in words of praise. A Christian has this testimony: "I know Jesus receives sinners because He took me in when He saved me."
The Lost Sheep
In answer to the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus spoke a parable which tells how much He loves and values one soul. The parable of the lost sheep shows us to what length Jesus will go in order that one soul might be saved.
In many places in the Bible men are likened to sheep. The Prophet Isaiah said, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). The Psalmist admitted his sin by saying, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep" (Psalm 119:176). Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).
In the parable, the man had one hundred sheep. One might think that he had so many that one would not be missed or that one would not be worth going after. It was not so with this man, nor with Jesus who knows His sheep ([JHN:10:27]), nor with His followers.
The Shepherd
A servant or hired man was not sent to look for the lost sheep. The man, himself, went to find the one sheep that was missing. In [MAT:18:12] the parable tells us that the shepherd sought in the mountains for the one sheep that could not help itself. Jesus has been called the "great shepherd of the sheep" (Hebrews 13:20). Artists have sought to portray the beautiful thought of Jesus' love for that one lost soul. Some artists show Jesus, in the storm and cold, seeking a lost lamb who is entangled in the briers on a dangerous cliff while huge black birds are ready to pounce upon the helpless lamb.
Danger
One that is lost and away from the flock whether sheep or man is in much danger. A lost sheep may be the prey of beasts while it is away from the protection of the shepherd. David told that a lion and a bear came to kill some of his flock ([1SM:17:34-37]). The Lord gave David power each time to kill the beast and get the lamb back. What do you think would have happened if David, the shepherd, had not been there?
A man has enemies, too. When he goes away from God, he exposes himself to dangers. In I Peter 5:8 we read, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Paul warned against false teachers whom he likened to "grievous wolves" (Acts 20:29). A storm may come upon those who stray from the protection of the fold. The storm of God's wrath is upon those who do not believe ([JHN:3:36]) and "is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Romans 1:18).
Place of Safety
The shepherd sought until he found the one that was missing. In love and tenderness, he gently lifted the lost. The one who was weary, worn, and worried, he laid upon his shoulder, a place of strength and security.
What rejoicing there must have been! The rescued, of course, was very happy, as was the good shepherd who called in his friends and neighbours to rejoice with him. "How much then is a man better than a sheep?" (Matthew 12:12). When a sinner repents, he is happy along with the other Christians, and even the angels in Heaven rejoice.
Lost Coin
Jesus gave another illustration to show the value of a lost soul and the rejoicing at its recovery. In some ways a sinner is like the piece of money. Both are of value and can be given in exchange for something else. No doubt all of us have bought something at the store with money, but what can a man give in exchange for his soul? We have studied about Jacob's brother Esau, who sold his birthright for one morsel of meat ([HEB:12:16]), which is like a man who is more concerned about food than his soul's welfare. Judas who had been one of Jesus' disciples, betrayed the Son of God with a kiss, and in exchange received thirty pieces of silver ([MAT:27:3]), and thus forfeited his right to eternal life. The Prophet Isaiah told the Children of Israel that they had sold themselves for their iniquities ([ISA:50:1]) and for nothing ([ISA:52:3]). One who repents and gives his life in service to Jesus receives eternal life ([JHN:3:15]; [JHN:12:25]), along with many other blessings.
Recovered
The piece of money was lost in the darkness, just as the way of the wicked is darkness ([PRO:4:19]). The woman valued the coin and sought for it as Jesus loves a sinner and seeks to recover him. The woman sought diligently with a light and a broom. What means are used to recover a lost soul? Jesus is the Light of the world ([JHN:8:12]). The Psalmist said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). The Spirit of God convicts a soul of his sin and draws him unto the Lord ([JHN:6:44]). A sinner is reproved "of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8). A sinner is found in the "sweepings" of this world, just where he is and just as he is.
Rejoicing
The woman sought diligently until she found the coin, because she valued it as a token of her purity. Need-less to say, she was happy when she recovered the piece of money. Others were gladdened, too, for she called in her friends and neighbours to rejoice with her. Likewise there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Jesus was teaching this parable to show the scribes and Pharisees how different was their attitude toward sinners from that of God.
In a Far Country
Jesus told of a man who had two sons. They had been provided with the comforts and protection of a good home. The younger son grew weary of his father's care. Perhaps he had gone into bad company, or maybe he had been reading books that were not good or had in him an "evil heart of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:12). Probably he thought if he was away from his father, he could have a little more liberty and do as he pleased. He demanded money of his father, and did not even ask politely. In love and kindness the father gave him his share. The young man set off for a good time in a far country that looked attractive to him.
It is rather sad to read of this young man's wanting his own way and leaving his father home. He did not realize the trouble that was ahead of him by so doing. It is also sad to see people today who are ungrateful to God and become dissatisfied with His rule. They want their own way and finally separate themselves from God and good. There are some children who would like to get away from their parents. Some even plan to run away to another place. They think that they will have a good time somewhere else. Like the prodigal son, they do not think of the consequences. May they consider what happened to this young man, and take heed lest they find themselves far distant from God and home.
The young man spent all that he had, and then there came a great famine. He probably had many friends to help him spend his money, but the time came when he was in want and there was no one to befriend him. He finally went to work feeding swine in the fields. There, without food and friends, he came to himself.
Robbed by Sin
This young man is an example of a backslider one who knew the love of God but turned his back and wasted much in a life of sin. Many sinners come to themselves only to realize that the worldly pleasures have robbed them of every good thing. Like the young man, they are in want. They have not the necessities for keeping the soul alive. They find themselves servants of the devil. They have spent and worked for that which does not satisfy ([ISA:55:2]).
The young man knew the way out of his awful condition. He planned to go to his father and confess his sin and failure. He did more than plan; he acted.
Back to Father's House
No doubt his father had been watching and waiting his return; for when the young man was still "a great way off," his father ran to meet him. The prodigal son made his confession. He said that he had sinned against his father and against God. He felt that he was not worthy to be his son but the father took him in gladly. Perhaps the young man expected a rebuke but he received, instead, a kiss of forgiveness.
There are some prodigal sons in the world today. At one time they knew the Lord. With disregard for God's law, they wanted their own way until God permitted them to have it. They have spent their time, money, and strength, serving themselves and the world. Would God they would come to themselves! The Lord would meet them if they would return with repentance and humility.
Like the prodigal in the parable, they would receive more than they asked. He came in rags, asking to be taken in as a servant, but he was clothed with the best robe, shoes, and the ring of authority. The Lord clothes His people with the garments of salvation, the robe of righteousness and their feet are shod with the preparation of the Gospel ([ISA:61:10]; [EPH:6:15]).
The prodigal son was hungry. His father fed him not the leavings of the last meal, or even cold meat, but the best calf freshly killed. What joy filled their hearts! The prodigal was home he was restored! No longer did he carry a guilty conscience. He was alive who had been dead in trespasses and sins ([EPH:2:1]).
Were the scribes and Pharisees like the elder brother selfish, boastful, complaining, unforgiving, and dis-claiming relationship? By feeling that the house was not big enough for both of them, he stood outside while the others rejoiced in the return of one sinner whom Jesus came to seek and to save ([LUK:19:10]).
Questions
1. What was the complaint of the scribes and Pharisees?
2. What was wrong with their complaint?
3. In what way is a sinner like a lost sheep?
4. Why is it dangerous to be a lost sheep?
5. Why did the woman look for the lost coin?
6. Why does Jesus seek for the lost?
7. Where did the prodigal son make his mistake?
8. Who rejoices when a sinner is saved? Why?