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It is the shepherd’s willingness to go after the one that gives
the ninety-nine their real security. If the one is sacrificed in
the name of the larger good of the group, then each individual
in the group is insecure, knowing that he or she too is of
little value. If lost, he or she will be left to die. When the
shepherd pays a high price to find the one, he thereby offers
the profoundest security to the many. [31]
The lost sheep is clearly symbolic of a repentant sinner. This
comes as a complete surprise. How can this sheep represent
“repentance”? Quite simple, Jesus is defining repentance as
“acceptance of being found.” The sheep is discovered to be
missing. The shepherd pays the price to search for, find and
restore the lost sheep. Terrified and alone, the sheep is
overjoyed to be found and in the process becomes a symbol for
repentance. Repentance is not a work which earns our rescue.
Rather, the sinner accepts being found. [33-4]
The mystery of the fullness of God in the Son in His incarnation
is beyond us. Yet this parable depicts a father who leaves the
comfort and security of his home and humiliates himself before
the village. The coming down and going out to his son is a
parable of the incarnation. The costly demonstration of
unexpected love in the village street demonstrates a part of the
meaning of the cross. [67]
Only the father is able to restore, and restoration is through
grace alone. The younger son brings nothing home but a handful
of filthy rags. The Pharisees were complaining that Jesus
accepted sinners and ate with them. Jesus doesn’t apologize in a
patronizing way and say, “After all, they’re unfortunate people.
Isn’t it our duty to show them some kind of fellowship?” Rather,
he throws out a challenge. He not only accepts them—he runs to
restore them with open arms! He not only eats with them—when
they accept His love, He kills the fatted calf in celebration of
the success of his costly efforts at reconciliation. [72]
The mood of the banquet/Eucharist is that of a celebration, not
a funeral. The price paid by the shepherd, the woman and the
father are not forgotten at the banquets that conclude each
parable. But the atmosphere at the banquet is that of joy at the
success of the costly efforts expended in finding the lost. [89]
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