From Lost to Found | Lent 2026

By Mike & Brianna Reynolds

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ John 15:20b–24

From lost to found. From death to life. 

This is the movement that we see in the parables that Jesus is teaching in Luke 15. A lost sheep found, followed by rejoicing (15:3–7). A lost coin found, followed by rejoicing (15:8–10). A lost son, as good as dead, found, followed by celebration (15:11–24). Restoration is a common thread that is woven through these three parables, and this is magnified in the Parable of the Lost Son. 

Take a moment to read Luke 15:11–19. 

Perhaps you see yourself in this story. Wandering off to do things your own way—by your own power—only to find yourself sitting there, empty and longing for home. We find ourselves at various moments longing for things to be made right.

Sometimes these things are beyond our control. Other times, like the lost son, they’re related to the choices that we’ve made. As we long for things to be made right, we can hope, because our God is compassionate. 

Take a moment to read Luke 15:20–24.

The father in the parable runs to the son when he sees him returning. The father sees his son and is filled with compassion. The son can’t even complete his apology before the celebration begins. “Quick!” the father says, “Let’s celebrate! For this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found” (see 15:22–24). 

Even as the lost son’s brother grumbles upon his return (see 15:25–30), the father calls him, too, to celebrate the restoration. A lost son and a brother, who was as good as dead, has now been found.

“But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (15:32). 

From lost to found. From death to life. Things made right—not only for the lost son, but for you as well.

Reflect:

Who do you relate to more - the lost son or brother? What do you think the Father has to say to you through this parable?