Luke 15: 4, 8-9,11-13, 21-22 the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son.

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

This is a high point in Jesus' teaching. He compares things that are valuable to the people of his day. Many herded sheep, so he knows that they understand the value of finding a single lost sheep. Widows were the poorest in Palestine, so people understood the value of finding a lost coin. Much greater is finding a lost son. Even though the son is a prodigal son, reconciliation is everything to the heart of Father God. That's who the father in this story is. That is why he sent his only son, so that he can do his father's will by reconciling the lost sons of the world to himself.

Daily Prayer: Father, we are always in rebellion against you by what we do and also by what we fail to do. Reconcile us to yourself through the blood of Jesus so that we can come into fellowship with you and be recipients of your grace and love. In your holy name I pray Amen.