THE lost sheep. The seeking shepherd. The lost piece of silver. The seeking woman. The lost son. The father who welcomes home.
The lost sheep―The sinner who in his ignorance cannot find his way back to God.
The lost piece of silver―The sinner who in the insensibility to his condition, does not feel his lost state.
The lost son―The sinner who in his determination will get as far away from God as he can.
Ignorant, insensible, willful; and the last the worst.
The seeking shepherd―Jesus our Saviour, who pursues the wanderer until He finds him, and who bears him safe home rejoicing.
The seeking woman―The blessed Spirit of God, who brings the light of truth to bear upon the lost sinner in his hiding place, and rejoices in finding the lost.
The father who welcomes home―Our gracious God, who covers the repentant and returning sinner with kisses of love, and who adorns him in the beauties of Christ, and who makes us happy for ever. “They began to be merry:” the joy is always and for ever beginning! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to man in time; the kindness of God the Father extending into eternity.