Heavens Point of View – Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son. (Luke 15: 1-31).
The Parable of the Lost Sheep.
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “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? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 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.
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Today we look into the three stories that Jesus shared in response to the Pharisees' complaints:
The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7):
Jesus begins with a scenario where a shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost. When he finds it, he rejoices and calls others to celebrate. The Pharisees may view sinners with disdain, but God's perspective is one of great joy when a lost soul turns to Him.
The Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10):
Jesus continues with a story of a woman who loses one of her ten silver coins. She diligently searches until she finds it, and again, there is a celebration. The lesson here is that, just like the woman values and rejoices over finding her lost coin, The Pharisees' perspective may be one of judgment, but God's perspective is one of love and redemption.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32):
Jesus concludes with perhaps the most well-known of the three parables. A wayward son squanders his inheritance, hits rock bottom, and decides to return home. His father, filled with compassion, welcomes him back with open arms and throws a grand celebration. The Pharisees might view sinners as irredeemable, but God sees them as candidates for restoration and grace.
In each of these stories, Jesus challenges the Pharisees' perspective on sinners and then conveys God's view – one of immense love, joy in repentance, and a desire for restoration. The point of view Jesus encourages us to adopt is God's perspective, valuing each individual and rejoicing over their redemption.
Now I’ve covered the first two parables in some detail in when I worked through the gospel of Matthew. The parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin were covered in Matthew Ch 18 and I only glancing at those today.
Today I intend to focus on the third and perhaps most famous of the parables, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This story serves as an illustration of God's love and forgiveness, emphasizing the joy in the recovery of a lost child.
Jesus begins in Luke 15:11
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate 13 “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. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
(Luke 15: 11-16)
The younger son, desiring his inheritance, effectively wishes that his father was dead so he could claim it. The father, respecting his son's free will, divides the inheritance between the two sons. The younger son then goes to a far country, squandering his wealth in prodigal living.
As the younger son faces a severe famine, he finds himself poor and hungry. He decides to return home, acknowledging his wrongs.
This turning point in the story is crucial. The prodigal son comes to his senses, realizing the gravity of his situation and acknowledging his need for change. Let's continue with the story in Luke 15:17
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.
(Luke 15: 17-19)
Recognizing the dire straits he's in, the prodigal son decides to return to his father and confess his wrongdoing. He devises a plan to express his repentance, acknowledging that he has sinned against both heaven and his earthly father. He doesn't expect to be reinstated as a son but hopes to be treated as a hired servant.
This pivotal moment in the narrative emphasizes the theme of repentance. The prodigal son's self-awareness and humility mark a stark contrast to his previous rebellious and arrogant behaviour.
Let's see how the father responds to the prodigal son's return.
20 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. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 “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. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So, they began to celebrate.
(Luke 15: 20-24)
The father's response is a profound demonstration of unconditional love and forgiveness. Instead of waiting for the prodigal son to reach him, the father runs to meet him, expressing compassion and joy. He interrupts his son's prepared confession, instructing the servants to celebrate the return of the lost son. The best robe, a ring, and sandals symbolize the son's reinstatement as a beloved member of the family.
This parable encapsulates the essence of God's mercy and forgiveness. It reveals God's eagerness to welcome repentant sinners back into His embrace. The celebration in the story echoes the joy in heaven over everyone sinner who returns to God.
The father's celebratory mood continues as he commands the preparation of a fatted calf for a feast. He joyfully declares that his son, who was lost and dead to him, is now found and alive again. The lavish celebration contrasts with the son's expectation of being treated as a hired servant, illustrating the depth of the father's forgiveness and love.
This parable illustrates God's boundless mercy and willingness to forgive repentant sinners. The father's response highlights God's eagerness to restore and reconcile those who turn back to Him. The story emphasizes the joy in heaven, echoing the themes found in the previous parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.
Now, let's examine the reaction of the elder son in Luke 15:25-32.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 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. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 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.’”
(Luke 15: 25-32)
Upon learning about the celebration, the older son becomes angry and refuses to join the festivities inside the house. Sensing his elder son's discontent, the father goes out to him, urging him to participate in the celebration. The elder son initially responds by emphasizing his loyalty and faithfulness over the years, boasting that he never disobeyed his father's commands.
However, his attitude reveals a sense of self-righteousness. He believes that his obedience and hard work should earn him special favour or recognition, especially compared to his younger brother, whom he accuses of squandering his father's wealth on sinful activities.
Referring to his brother as "this son of yours" instead of "my brother" underscores his deliberate distancing and disapproval.
The father's response is pivotal. Addressing his elder son as "son," he reminds him that everything he possesses is already available to him. The father acknowledges the importance of rejoicing over the return of the younger brother, highlighting the themes of redemption and reconciliation.
This part of the parable serves as a poignant lesson on self-righteousness and the danger of harbouring resentment. The elder son's fixation on earning approval through works blinds him to the joy of reconciliation and forgiveness, revealing a heart distant from understanding the father's love.
The unresolved ending challenges listeners then, particularly the Pharisees, but also us today to examine our hearts and embrace God's mercy and forgiveness.
Finally, let's focus on what I believe are the two key points from this passage.
Firstly, it reminds us to rejoice over what is gained, not lost, from heaven's perspective.
If we find ourselves complaining instead of rejoicing, we may be out of sync with the heavenly Father's intentions.
These parables illustrate the universal opportunity for forgiveness.
Just like lost sheep or misplaced coins, we are unable to find our way back to God through our own efforts. Redemption comes only through humble repentance and acceptance of God's mercy.
The narrow gate of grace requires us to leave behind self-righteousness, good works, and human pride.
In essence, everyone who is lost can be found through repentance, acknowledging their need for salvation, and embracing God's mercy. These three parables all teach us about the transformative power of forgiveness and the importance of humility in our relationship with God.
Secondly, the passage emphasizes God's joy in seeing us return to Him. Often referred to as the "Parable of the Loving Father," it portrays the father's relentless love and pursuit of those who have strayed. Contrary to some religious perspectives, where humanity seeks God, Christianity reveals a God who actively seeks and saves humanity through Christ.
This seeking love of God brings immense joy, as echoed in the statement that "all of heaven rejoices when sinners are saved."
CS Lewis aptly notes that joy is a serious matter, emphasizing the profound impact of redemption.
The passage challenges the notion that God only favours those who remain steadfast. Instead, it celebrates the father’s joy in welcoming back the lost.
Ultimately, the elder brother symbolizes the critical disposition of the Pharisees, or indeed anyone who fails to grasp God's seeking and saving love.
Like them, we are urged to shift from criticism to rejoicing over the salvation of the lost.
In summary, this passage encourages us to adopt a heavenly perspective and rejoice when someone comes to Christ, echoing the joy in heaven over every lost soul that is found.
A Victorian tale from days long ago told the story of a child who was stolen trafficked we would call it today and ended up in the hands of a chimney sweeper.
After years of searching, the parents, in vain, spent significant resources.
One day the child in the hands of this chimney sweep unknowingly visited his original home.
Despite the filth, the state the child was in the woman recognized her lost son's face, leading to tears of joy and reconciliation.
The besmudged dress and rug where she embraced her lost yet returned son was inconsequential compared to the joy of finding he who she thought was lost.
This story, and more importantly, this parable emphasizes the profound joy in heaven when a lost one is saved, challenging us to embrace a heavenly perspective and welcome back those who God considers his lost children.