Day 74 — Joy over the Lost Being Found

Day 74 · Making Christ Known · Luke 15:1-10 (NET2)

Jesus answers criticism of his welcome to sinners with stories of a lost sheep and a lost coin. Both end in shared joy when what was lost is found. Heaven’s joy over repentance challenges contempt toward people who seem far from God. We can welcome others without approving sin, rejoicing that God’s mercy seeks and receives those who turn to him.

Request

Father, give me a heart that rejoices in your rescuing mercy. Amen.

Read

Luke 15:1-10

¹ Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear him. ² But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

³ So Jesus told them this parable: ⁴ “Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵ Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ ⁷ I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

⁸ “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it? ⁹ Then when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. What repeated actions and emotions stand out in the two stories?
2. How might your attitude toward a searching person become more welcoming?

Restate

Describe why repentance is an occasion for joy.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise God for his seeking mercy.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for receiving sinners through Christ.
• Confession: Confess contempt toward people whose lives are messy.
• Intercession: Pray for someone who needs to turn to God.
• Petition: Ask for a welcoming spirit that remains truthful.

Carry it into today: Offer genuine welcome to someone you might otherwise overlook.