A Heart for the One

Luke 15:1–7 ESV

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Dominant Thought (DT): We must seek the lost diligently with compassion.

Introduction

Have you ever lost something valuable? Maybe it was your keys, your wallet, or—God forbid—your child in a crowded place. I remember one time when I was rushing to church and misplaced my car keys. I searched high and low, and in that moment, nothing else mattered. My only mission was to find those keys.

But what if it wasn’t just keys—what if it was someone you loved? The panic and desperation would be even greater.

Jesus knows this feeling—and He uses it to describe the heart of God toward those who are lost in sin. But before Jesus tells the parable, the scene in verses 1-2 sets the stage. It tells us exactly why Jesus shared this story and who His audience was.

Verse 1 says: "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him."

These were the "undesirables" of society—people rejected and looked down on by the religious elite. Tax collectors were considered traitors for working with the Roman government and extorting their own people. Sinners included anyone who was seen as unclean, morally corrupt, or outside the religious establishment. But these were the very people who were drawn to Jesus.

Why? Because Jesus didn’t push them away—He welcomed them. He saw past their failures and reputations and offered them the hope of redemption. They weren’t just tolerated; they were invited to come close and hear words of life.

Verse 2 says: "And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.'"

Instead of rejoicing that lost souls were finding their way back to God, the Pharisees and scribes were grumbling. In their eyes, Jesus was guilty by association. Sharing a meal in that culture wasn’t just casual—it was an intimate sign of acceptance and fellowship. They couldn’t believe that someone who claimed to represent God would associate with those kinds of people.

The Pharisees’ hearts reveal a troubling truth: It is possible to be close to religion but far from the heart of God. They were more concerned with looking holy than with extending compassion.

So Jesus tells this parable—not just to comfort sinners, but to correct the Pharisees. He wanted them to see that their grumbling was out of step with heaven’s joy. The heart of the Good Shepherd is not cold and condemning—it is compassionate and relentless in the pursuit of the lost.

This parable calls us to reflect on two questions:

Do we have a heart like Jesus that pursues the lost?

Do we celebrate like heaven when the lost are found?

Transition: Now that we’ve seen the context, let’s explore how Jesus calls us to pursue the lost with passion.

Pursue the Lost with Passion (v.4)

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?”

Let’s pause and picture the scene Jesus describes. A shepherd with 100 sheep realizes that one is missing. Instead of thinking, “Well, at least I still have 99,” he leaves the flock behind and searches tirelessly for the one that has wandered away. This pursuit wasn’t half-hearted—it was passionate and persistent.

Explanation: Jesus is showing us the heart of God. God doesn’t look at the lost as disposable. He doesn’t say, "Oh well, at least I still have most of them." No—God’s heart aches for the one who has wandered. This parable is proof that God's love is not just for the crowd—it’s personal.

Historical Tension: In first-century Judea, shepherds were often seen as lowly laborers who faced dangerous conditions. Yet, they were also known for their deep bond with their sheep. The tension here is that some may have viewed the shepherd's pursuit as reckless—risking 99 for 1—but Jesus turns this around to show how God’s love defies human logic.

Ezekiel 34:11-12 says, "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out." This reminds us that God's pursuit is not new—it has always been part of His character.

Illustration: There was a mother in Chicago who lost her son after he ran off in a crowd. She didn’t care about what she was holding in her hands—she dropped everything and screamed his name. She didn’t care how she looked or who was watching—her focus was on her son. And when she found him, she scooped him up with tears streaming down her face. That’s the heart of God for you and me.

Application: Who in your life has wandered from the faith? Maybe it’s a family member, a friend, or someone you’ve been praying for. Don’t give up! God calls us to pursue the lost through our prayers, our witness, and our love. Be persistent—because God never stops pursuing us.

Challenge: Write down the name of someone you know who is far from God. This week, commit to praying for them every day and look for opportunities to show them love.

Transition: But finding the lost isn’t the end—it’s only the beginning of the celebration. Let’s see what happens when the shepherd finds his sheep.

Rejoice When the Lost Are Restored (vv.5-6)

Key Verse: “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, notice what he does—he doesn’t scold it, drag it home, or give it a lecture. He lovingly lifts it onto his shoulders and rejoices all the way home! Not only that, but when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors and says, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.”

Explanation: Jesus is showing us that heaven throws a party when one sinner repents. This is a picture of the extravagant grace of God. Some of us would be tempted to look at the lost sheep with annoyance or judgment, but God rejoices over their return.

Cultural Context: In ancient Near Eastern society, sharing a meal was a sign of trust and reconciliation. By calling his friends to celebrate, the shepherd is modeling the deep bonds of communal joy and the restoration of fellowship. Meals weren’t just about food—they represented peace and belonging.

Tension: The Pharisees’ disdain for Jesus eating with sinners underscores how shocking this celebration would have been to them. They couldn't fathom why anyone would celebrate the return of those they deemed unworthy.

Illustration: I saw a video of a man who was lost at sea for two days. When the Coast Guard finally found him, they didn’t yell at him for getting off course—they pulled him out of the water, wrapped him in warmth, and celebrated that he was alive. That’s how heaven responds when the lost are restored.

Modern Connection: Think about the celebrations we have for baptisms, surprise parties, or even a sports victory. These celebrations pale in comparison to heaven’s joy over one sinner who repents.

Application: Do we reflect the heart of heaven? Are we quick to celebrate when someone repents and returns, or do we hold onto judgment? Let’s be a church that throws a celebration every time someone turns to Christ—because that’s what heaven does!

Transition: Now that we’ve seen the joy of restoration, Jesus drives home a powerful truth about the value of every repentant soul.

Embrace the Value of Every Repentant Soul (v.7)

Key Verse: “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Jesus concludes the parable by making it clear: there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine who think they don’t need repentance. This isn’t to diminish those who are already following Christ, but to emphasize the priority God places on the lost.

Explanation: The reason heaven celebrates is because every lost soul has incredible value to God. Historically, the Pharisees adhered strictly to ritual purity laws, which led them to avoid contact with those deemed unworthy or impure. Their version of righteousness was exclusionary, contrasting sharply with Jesus' inclusive ministry that welcomed sinners into fellowship.

Tension: The Pharisees saw themselves as the 99, believing they didn’t need repentance. But Jesus’ point is that their self-righteousness actually kept them further from God’s heart.

Illustration: If a parent loses one child, they don’t say, "Well, I still have my other kids." The focus is on the one who was missing. That’s the weight of one repentant soul in God’s eyes!

Application: Instead of grumbling like the Pharisees, we’re called to embrace the same value system as heaven—where every soul matters. This week, who can you value and embrace with the heart of the Shepherd?

Transition: As we come to the end of this parable, the message is clear—it’s not just a story; it’s an invitation to live out God’s love.

Conclusion

This parable shows us the heart of God—a Shepherd who pursues, restores, and rejoices over the lost. But it doesn’t stop there. Jesus isn’t just telling us a story—He’s calling us to live out this same heart. As we reflect on His relentless love for us, the question is simple: Are we willing to love the lost the same way He loves us?

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who left heaven to pursue us when we were lost. He didn’t just risk His life—He gave His life on the cross to carry our sins and bring us back to God. When He rose from the grave, He secured our salvation forever.

Hoop

"Somebody ought to thank God that He left the 99 for you! He didn’t leave you where you were—He picked you up and carried you on His shoulders! He carried your burdens, your fears, and your shame! He loved you enough to bring you back! And let me tell you—He didn’t just carry you any old way—He carried you to Calvary! At Calvary, He bore the weight of our sins and our guilt. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities! The chastisement that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed!

But that’s not the end of the story—on the third day, He rose with all power in His hands! He conquered death, hell, and the grave to secure our salvation. So if He gave His all on that cross, let’s give Him our all today! Because He sought us first, we can seek the lost in His name. Hallelujah! Somebody give Him praise for the cross!"