Luke 15

     15:1-2.  Cf. Mt.9:9-13; Luke 5:29-30.  Even the apostles momentarily allowed this separatist attitude to prevail where Gentiles were concerned (Gal.2:12-13).

     15:3-32.  These three parables all have the same major point.  God rejoices at the return of the lost, and has every right to expect that others should rejoice with him.  Ezk.34 is a good background for the parable of the lost sheep.  The shepherds of Israel cared nothing for the sheep, but God said, “I will set over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them; he will feed them himself and be their shepherd”.  (Ezk.34:23).

     15:7.  Righteous persons who need no repentance.  Jesus quotes the Pharisees at their own valuation.  Cf. Luke 18:9.

     15:12.  Cf. Dt.21:17; 1Chr.5:1-2 for law of the birthright.  The eldest son was to receive a double portion, but as these verses show, the birthright could be given to one more worthy in extreme cases.

     15:14.  There is a land famous for its famines.  It is the land of disobedience to God’s word (cf. Amos 8:11).

     15:15.  Sin is a hard and cruel master.

     15:17-18.  The young man’s repentance may seem to be only a scheming desperation.  It sounds much like Pharaoh as he tried to manipulate Moses (Ex.10:16).  But if the Father accepted it, we have no license to judge it.  The great humility of God will cover over what is lacking in the flawed efforts of his true children.

     One thing more needs to be said here.  This is not like a flower child returning home with his girl friend and dope to live off his parents, who adjust the rules of their house to his demands.  This son knew that the rules of his father’s house would not change.  When he returned home, he knew he must live by them (cf.17:3).

     15:20.  To run in a robe was not dignified.  This father hitched it up and ran.  The son was met with compassion, not recrimination.

     15:24.  While this son lived in sin, he was dead to his father, but his father was not dead toward him.  He received him back as one alive from the dead.  His own efforts and repentance alone could not save him, but the father’s grace did.

     15:25-32.  This same grace is offered to the elder brother (28).  He has a slave’s mentality, not a son’s.  So much pay for so much work, yet it is all his already by inheritance.  His jealousy and anger are irrational (29-30).

     The resources of our Father are as limitless as his love.  But all can be lost in the end if we cannot share in the joy of our Father, and cannot love our brother.