SCRIPTURE: LUKE 15
THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP (vs. 1-7)
When the Pharisees and the teachers of the law saw the tax collectors and “sinners” gathered together to hear Jesus, they said: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (v. 2)
Jesus told them this parable:
Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not 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.
THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN (vs. 8-10)
“Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not 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.”
THJE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON (vs. 11-32)
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one asked his father to give him his share of the estate; So the father divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.” So he got up and went to his father. 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.” (v. 21) 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 was found. So they began to celebrate.
Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing . So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. He replied: “Your brother has come and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.” (v. 27). The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. but when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!” (v. 29-30)
The father said, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 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.” (v. 31–32)
THOUGHTS:
THE 3 PARABLES EXPLAINS WHY JESUS FELLOWSHIPPED WITH SINNERS AND ATE WITH THEM:
- THE LOST SHEEP – The shepherd left the 99 sheep to search for one lost sheep because he knew that the 99 were safe in the sheepfold. The lost sheep was in danger and the shepherd regarded each sheep with high value so it was worthwhile to search for the lost sheep. God’s love for each individual is so great that he seeks out each one and rejoices when he is “found”. Jesus associated with sinners because he wanted you to listen to the Good News of God’s Kingdom.
- THE LOST COIN – Palestinian women received 10 silver coins as a wedding gift. Besides their monetary value, these coins had sentimental value like that of a wedding ring and to lose one would be extremely distressing. Just as a woman would rejoice at finding her lost coin, so the angels rejoice over a repentant sinner. Each individual is precious to God. He grieves over every loss and rejoices whenever one of his children is found and brought into the Kingdom. Let us share Jesus’ love for the lost and bring them to our church.
- THE LOST SON – As head of the family, the father has the authority to determine when to divide his inheritance. But the younger son was arrogant and rebellious because he initiated the division of the inheritance. Then he left the house and squandered everything. When he had nowhere to go, he became a hired man to feed pigs. It was during this time that he had come to his senses and decided to return to his father. The father did not look for him. He just watched and waited at home. But when he saw the son, he welcomed him with joy and a great celebration. Similarly, God’s love for us is patient and welcoming. He will search for us and give us opportunities to respond but he will not force us to come to him.
The older brother represented the Pharisees, who were angry and resentful when sinners were being welcomed into God’s kingdom. They resented God’s gracious forgiveness to others because they considered themselves righteous. They may have thought “We have sacrificed and done so much for God”.