September 19, 2026 - Luke 15-17

The Pharisees and scribes accused Jesus:  “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (15:2).  And aren’t we glad he does!  I am that lost sheep.  I am that lost coin.  I am that lost son.  And to know that “there is joy before the angels of God over” my salvation . . . that’s wonderful!

Having received so great a salvation, let us never be like the nine lepers who were healed by Jesus and went away without any word of thanks.  Rather, I want to be like the one – a Samaritan! – who “turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks” (17:15,16).  “Lord, create in me a thankful heart, always a thankful heart!”

There were ninety and nine that safely lay

In the shelter of the fold

But one was out on the hills away,

Far off from the gates of gold—

Away on the mountains wild and bare,

Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.

Lord, thou hast here thy ninety and nine.

Are they not enough for thee?

But the Shepherd made answer: ’Tis of mine

Has wandered away from me.

And although the road be rough and steep,

I go to the desert to find my sheep.

But none of the ransomed ever knew

How deep were the waters crossed,

Nor how dark was the night the Lord pass’d

Ere he found his sheep that was lost.

Out in the desert he heard its cry—

Sick and helpless and ready to die.

“Lord, what are these blood drops all the way

That mark out the mountain’s track?”

“They were shed for the one who’d gone astray

Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.

“Lord, why are these hands so rent and torn?”

“They’re pierced tonight by many a thorn.”

But all thru’ the mountains, thunder-riv’n,

And up from the rocky steep,

There rose such a cry to the gate of Heav’n,

“Rejoice, I have found my sheep!”

And the angels echoed around the throne,

“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back his own!”   -- Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane (1868)