15:3-7
The first two parables represent God as a seeking God. The rabbis would readily agree that God accepts the repentant sinner, but the idea of God actively going to seek the lost was new. Note also that from their attitude, it is clear that while the rabbis accepted the concept of the repentant sinner, their putting this into practice, their living of this truth was another matter altogether. We need to be careful of the possibility that we intellectually accept an idea or doctrine, but do not live that idea or doctrine. This is something we are all prone to. So the key elements of this parable are: (i) God going out to seek the lost; (ii) God carrying the sinner back; (iii) the rejoicing in heaven.
Carrying the lost sheep on his back would involve considerable effort, but the shepherd did this joyfully. The “more rejoicing ..” phrase should be looked at in the context of welcoming the repentant sinner back. Jesus is not making any point about God not really being particularly excited about those who never strayed much in the first place.
So who was this parable addressed to: the sinners and tax collectors, or the Pharisees and teachers of the Law? It clearly has lessons for both. To the religious types it is that they need to repent and change their attitudes, they clearly had no accurate concept of the kingdom of God. To the “sinners” it is the rich welcome that God gives to the lost sheep. We do not come back to God who only reluctantly accepts us back.
Finally, we should note that it says “there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents ...” We talk a lot about being accepting today, but there is little talk about sinners and repentance. When we do this we are not preaching or teaching the gospel. The whole of the gospel is about Jesus saving repentant sinners.
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