Luke 15 reminds me of the black sheep of the family. In some families there is that one kid that always seems to mess up. They sometimes embrace the role to justify every wrong turn. Today’s chapter offers hope for both the parent and the prodigal. We begin by noting, “The tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus”. The religious leaders ridiculed Him for not recognizing the reputation of His lowly associates. Listen to how the Lamb of God feels about the tainted saints. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine… and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” After finding his lost lamb, the shepherd of the flock “joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home” shouting to everyone, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep”. Friend, if you have been wandering, please hear this, “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 lost often believe no one cares enough to look for them. Separation and discouragement are primary tools of the Deceiver. The hopeless can begin to believe they are worth less; but Jesus taught a second parable. “A woman has ten silver coins and loses one”. He asked, “Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?” Pure silver coins quickly lose their shine in harsh conditions. Mint condition coins have never been in circulation, but the patina, acquired over time, increases the value and authenticity of a rare coin. Hear the voice of the mother that would not give up on her tarnished tot, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin”. Love takes the time to see past the crud.
The chapter closes with a parable of two sons; both can teach us lessons. The younger brother demanded that his father give him his inheritance. The dad “divided his property between them” and “the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country”. Predictably, he “squandered his wealth in wild living… and he began to be in need”. The boy was forced to hire “himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs”. To the Jew, this would have been the most degrading job possible. He was so hungry, the pig slop looked appetizing. We read, “When he came to his senses” he realized that “my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” We sometimes call it “hitting rock bottom”, but at this point, the boy decided to make a change. “I will… go back to my father”. I imagine he rehearsed his speech over and over along the way, “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 servants”. These were not empty words; he was prepared to be a servant in the house of his esteemed father.
We do not know how much time had passed, but we do know the dad continually searched the horizon for his son, “while he was still a long way off, his father saw him… he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him”. While the son gave his confession, the father had already restored him, “Bring the best robe… Put a ring on his finger …Bring the fattened calf… For this son of mine was dead and is alive again”. What about the older brother? The responsible son was still working in the field, not expecting his brother to return. It says “The older brother became angry” with his father. “All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat”. But dad reminds him, “Everything I have is yours”. The “good kid” has a hard time comprehending his father’s mercy, but where sin abounds, God’s grace abounds even more! My friend, is it time to come to your senses? Turn around, your Father is waiting.