The importance of One

 Read Luke 15.

Seeing Jesus being friendly to and even eating with "sinners" annoyed the religious leaders.  They thought, first of all, that being born a Jew automatically made them part of God's family.  Second, they believed that maintaining outward practices, many of them man-made, caused them to be accepted by God. 

Jesus was aware of their misunderstandings and their grumblings.  He took full advantage to teach those who would listen.  The parables are earthly stories filled with heavenly truth.  These three contain the same core elements. 
-Something or someone valuable was lost.
-Then, it was found.
-The owner or father rejoiced.
-There was a public celebration.
The first two conclude that there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.  The third illustrates that truth.

1. One in a Hundred. (vv.3-7)
He first appealed to their culture and work.  No shepherd wants to lose an animal.  He will go after it until he finds it.

2. One in Ten. (vv.8-10)
Losing ten percent of one's savings would have gotten their attention.  Everyone would seek diligently until they found the missing money.

3. One in Two. (vv.11-32)
Now that He has gained their attention, Jesus delivered the third.  The first two parables merely set the stage for this most personal application.  This was not an animal or an asset.  This was a son who went his own way to the displeasure of the father.  Rejoicing took place only after the wayward one turned around, renouncing his lifestyle and coming home.  There he found a waiting father ready to celebrate.

No matter the family or group we are in, whether it is one in a hundred, one in ten, or one in two, we all must turn from of our sin as individuals.  Then, we will find a waiting heavenly Father ready to receive us with open arms of forgiveness and acceptance.