This week Michael writes that Jesus’ parable about “The Prodigal Son” in Luke 15:11-32 is one of the most well-known parables that Jesus taught during his ministry. Even children in Sunday School know about the Prodigal Son. This story is the last of the three parables that Jesus taught to illustrate his Father’s heart toward a broken and sinful human race. Jesus came to minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but the Lord’s message is for us all. He knew we all were lost sinners in need of redemption. His audience at the time included the Pharisees, leaders of the synagogue and also the common people.
The first of the three parables is about a shepherd who had one hundred sheep in Luke 15:3-7. Ninety-nine sheep were safe in the sheepfold but one sheep had wandered away and was lost. A lost sheep, separated from the sheepfold and the shepherd, is defenseless and is easy prey for wolves and other predators. Jesus said, the shepherd went out to find the one lost sheep. When he found the sheep, he put it on his shoulders and brought the lost sheep back into the fold. Everyone rejoiced when the shepherd returned after rescuing the lost sheep. Likewise will there be rejoicing in heaven over one lost soul that repents. Sometimes we feel like lost sheep, because all we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned everyone to his own way. If you find yourself far from God, who moved? The shepherd pursues us even though we have wondered far away from him. When we turn from ourselves in repentance, he will rescue us and return us safe into his fold.
The second parable is about the lost coin in Luke 15:8-10. A woman had lost a precious coin that was part of the dowry she received when she was married. It was of priceless value because it was a precious family heirloom that represented her husband’s vow of faithfulness. When she realized her coin was missing, she swept the house diligently and searched everywhere for the lost coin. When she finally found it, she invited all of her neighbors to rejoice with her because she had found the precious lost coin.
The Pharisees and Scribes wondered among themselves why Jesus associated with sinners and tax collectors. Instead of addressing their concerns, he told them the parable of the lost son. This famous parable is about a father who had two sons. The younger son said to his father, “give me the inheritance you owe me before you die.” He might as well have said to his father, “I wish you were dead.” With a heart of love, the father divided up the value of his estate between his two sons. He gave his younger son the portion of his estate that he would have inherited upon his father’s death. Jesus was painting a radical picture for the Pharisees about the worst son a father could have. The Pharisees knew that the younger son according to Pharisaical law, could be stoned for disrespecting his father by implying, “I wish you were dead.” Upon the father’s death, the portion of the father’s estate allocated to the oldest son would be twice as much as the portion allocated to remaining younger sons. Why would the Father give the younger son such an indulgence? The word “prodigal” means “lavish and extravagant, characterized by one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly.” The answer is in the rest of the story.
Let's continue Michael's message on the Prodigal Son parable in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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