Memes are so incredibly similar to what we see in the Bible in the way that Jesus used parables. Memes are often sarcastic or satirical phrases designed to elicit a response. When Jesus used parables it was most often to teach a point to a group of people that would connect across any barrier.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin
Luke 15:1-10
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
There are some parables that can take some thinking to deduce all of the meaning found within, but the theme of this sermon is very plain and easy: he is talking about salvation.
The relationship between a shepherd and his sheep:
- Sheep are incredibly stupid.
- The entire livelihood and reputation of the shepherd stood on his ability to guard, protect, and raise the sheep that are given to him.
- This shepherd sees that one sheep goes astray, it wanders off, and it is the responsibility of the shepherd to retrieve it.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Jesus here is laying out the understanding to an additional layer to His gift. There will be a time that the gift is no longer available.
This lack of time applies two fold:
1. Your time on Earth DOES count for something
2. Your acceptance of that gift is a decision that you make yourself as laid out in Romans 10:9-10.
Romans 10:9-10
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, He lived a perfect life, died a miserable brutal death, and did so for the sake of carrying the lost sheep on his shoulders.
These 3 parables combine to form a distinct concept:
Jesus (our Good Shepherd) loves His sheep so much, and has gone to incredible lengths by sacrificing Himself, to not only show that love, but to provide a path for sinful people to enter a perfect Heaven.
So, what are you waiting for?
