We all receive criticism; some is deserved and some is not. But remember as you face unjust criticism, you are not alone. Jesus received criticism too!
As Luke 15 begins, Jesus is again under criticism.
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’” (vv.1,2)
Not only does He interact with the socially unacceptable (sometimes you cannot hardly help that), but He even intentionally eats with them. He seems to be comfortable around them. Earlier they even called Jesus, “A friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). This was not a compliment but a severe criticism even questioning His authority and character.
To this criticism Jesus tells three parables. The first two are brief and to the point regarding the principle he desires to teach. But the last is lengthy and more detailed to challenge His critics.
The Lost Sheep
The first parable is about a shepherd with 100 sheep. He loses one, and he puts the remaining 99 at risk in the open country to find the one. This reveals the great value that the shepherd sees in the one lost, vulnerable sheep. When he finds it, he comes back rejoicing and carrying the lost sheep. He calls his friends together and says, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Jesus concludes this first parable with the point,
“There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:3-7)
So, Jesus emphasized to His critics instead of criticizing, rejoice over the lost being found.
God takes great risk by sending His prophets and eventually His one and only son into the world to save the one! Rejoice with Him!
The Lost Coin
To underscore His point, Jesus tells another briefer, more domestic parable about a woman with ten coins losing one. In this case, she does not reveal the value of the lost coin by putting the other nine at risk, but instead she shows its value by the diligence of the search.
“Does (she) not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it.” (Luke 15:8)
And when the coin is found, she declares the same thing
“Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.”
So, Jesus concludes for His critics,
“There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:8-10)
Again, stop criticizing and start celebrating where heaven celebrates with the lost being found.
God is so determined over the one lost one that He only ceases the search after it’s success. He will not quit until the lost is found.
Won’t you meet God in the diligent and risky venture of reaching the most valued of God’s kingdom, the soul of a lost little one? Join us in “Rejoicing with heaven!”