The Pharisees understood Christ's parable as a rebuke to them. Instead of accepting their criticism of His work, He had reproved their neglect of the publicans and sinners. He had not done this openly, lest it should close their hearts against Him; but His illustration set before them the very work which God required of them, and which they had failed to do. Had they been true shepherds, these leaders in Israel would have done the work of a shepherd. They would have manifested the mercy and love of Christ, and would have united with Him in His mission. Their refusal to do this had proved their claims of piety to be false. Now many rejected Christ's reproof; yet to some His words brought conviction. Upon these, after Christ's ascension to heaven, the Holy Spirit came, and they united with His disciples in the very work outlined in the parable of the lost sheep. COL 192.2 The Lost Piece of Silver After giving the parable of the lost sheep Christ spoke another, saying, “What woman having …
"But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Both passages address the Pharisees' criticism of Jesus' association with sinners and his focus on mercy rather than judgment. EGW's passage explains how Christ's parable rebuked the Pharisees' neglect of sinners, which aligns with Matthew 9:13, where Jesus emphasizes mercy over sacrifice and his mission to call sinners to repentance.
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
EGW connects the parable of the lost sheep to the Pharisees' failure to seek out and care for sinners, echoing the theme of rejoicing over the repentance of one sinner. The passage amplifies the meaning of Luke 15:7 by applying it to a specific historical context and highlighting the importance of seeking out the lost.
"O the lack of deep, soul-touching sympathy for the tempted and the erring! O for more of Christ's spirit, and for less, far less, of self! COL 192.1"
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."
EGW's call for 'soul-touching sympathy' aligns with the general principle of empathy and compassion expressed in Romans 12:15, which encourages rejoicing and weeping with others.
"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
EGW's statement about the lack of sympathy and the need for less self-focus directly reflects the principle of Philippians 2:4, which encourages looking out for the interests of others rather than solely focusing on oneself.
"In the East the houses of the poor usually consisted of but one room, often windowless and dark. The room was rarely swept, and a piece of money falling on the floor would be speedily covered by the dust and rubbish. In order that it might be found, even in the daytime, a candle must be lighted, and the house must be swept diligently. COL 192.4"
"Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?"
EGW directly references and explains the cultural context of Luke 15:8, providing details about the houses and customs of the time to illuminate the parable's meaning.