The Lost Parables of Jesus

Jesus liked to use analogies so learners could apply their own understanding to a broader principle or truth. He’d say, “The Kingdom is like…” and then talk about something the listeners understood personally.

Jesus tells three stories about lost things. The first is about a shepherd and a lost sheep. The second is about a woman who loses a coin. The last is about a father with two lost sons. The unifying theme is a shepherd, woman, and father who go to unbelievable lengths to find the lost object. The “Prodigal Son” (“spendthrift son”; Luke 15:11-32) is usually used to demonstrate how much God loves us.

These stories share a positive message for the lost, but an equally important commentary emerges about those who are not lost.

We are not lost!

• We’re the flock, the 99 you still have! We are more valuable. Who would abandon 99 sheep to search for one? The flock: We have each other; we’re all about sticking together and eating grass; we’re not going anywhere; and we don’t particularly need you. Rule #1 in the Shepherd Guidebook says, “Stay with the flock.”

• We are the real treasure! We are more valuable. Keep your eye on what is important: us. We are safely tucked in your bank; we aren’t doing anything now, but we can be spent anytime you wish; and we are SO much more than the lost piece. Rule #1 in Investing is, “Watch the principal.”

• Hey, Dad, I’m still here! I’m certainly a better son and of more use than my little brother. Appreciate me! I’ve stayed at home; I’ve worked the farm; I’ve been obedient; I hate that sorry excuse for a son who left (I bet he’s having fun); and I’m holding everything together so when you pass on the estate will remain intact (for me). Remember Rule #1 in Parenting, “Reward obedience and penalize disobedience”.

Jesus People

Jesus didn’t like to hang out with the Pharisees or “holier-than-thou” people. He was often found with “bad” folk—tax collectors, prostitutes, fishermen, foreigners, physically disabled, women, children, and rebellious radicals. He did not like people who judged others and told his followers not to do so (Matt 7:1). There were two types of people in Jesus day:

1. The “righteous”: Those who thought they were right and proceeded to divide humanity into two groups—us (good), and them (bad). They knew the Scripture in detail and had succinctly reduced it to lists of dos and don’ts—rules for being good. They used their rules to demonstrate their personal stature and the errors of others. Jesus didn’t like these people—their failure was in their inability to see sin in themselves and feel the need for grace. The older brother in the Prodigal Son story demonstrated this type.

2. The “unrighteous”: Those who knew they didn’t stand a chance in terms of rule keeping and were in over their heads. They understood they were failures according to nearly everyone’s rules—their work wasn’t religious and they didn’t tend to be accepted in synagogues. Jesus like these people—their strength was in their ability to see sin in themselves and their need for grace. The Prodigal Son demonstrated this type.

Beware the Righteous Mindset

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,” (Matthew 5:3) describes Jesus’ kind of people. They were the kind of people who could look at others and see themselves. Grace causes us to see we are all trapped in a sinful world and existence. Those who understand personal and human frailty are best able to reach out to others. People who understand they, too, are unworthy are better able to minister and give grace to others. How interesting that the Holy Spirit finds the least-likely-to-become-a-Christian on the planet and uses him to establish the church!

Rule-driven Christianity can be every bit as “righteous” as the Pharisees in Jesus day. If your Christian faith causes you to look down on others and your belief system is a system of rules and prohibitions you readily apply to others, you are in “righteous” in the worst sense of the word. For example, if your faith broadcasts the way to God includes:

• Church attendance X times each week

• No unbelieving friends

• No drinking

• No smoking

• No drugs

• No sex

• No homosexuals

• No abortions

• No metal, hip-hop, or rap

• No synchronicity—nothing positive in Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Judaism, etc.

• No women preachers

• No swearing

• No Democrats (Republicans)

• No evolution, big bang, or socialists

• No Bible alternatives (errantists or literary critics)

• No “R” movies

• No work on Sundays

Your personal walk may include some or all of these—purity and integrity are good, but your faith message should be the Good News of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Your walk of purity and integrity should be so engaging that it draws unbelievers toward belief.