April 26 – Luke 15:1-32

Main Focus: Lost Parable

The parables of Jesus are directed to the Pharisees and scribes. The lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son all correspond to lost sinners being found by Jesus.

The first parable is about a man who leaves the ninety-nine sheep in the open country to go after the one lost sheep. The man finds the sheep and lays it on his shoulders because the sheep is too weak to return on its own. He calls together his friends and his neighbors to celebrate this rescue. More joy in heaven contrasts with the grumbling of Jesus’ opponents. It apparently means that both God and all the heavenly beings, including the angels, rejoice greatly. In light of the emphasis on the universal need of repentance and the evil of humanity, this is best understood as ironic for “those who think they are righteous and have no need to repent.”

Jesus’ most famous parable begins in verse 11, the parable of the prodigal son. The younger son tells the father to hand over the property coming to him. The younger son does not want to wait for his father’s death to receive his inheritance. He was probably a teenager, since he was unmarried. His share would have been half of what the older brother would receive, or one-third of the estate. He “divided” indicates that the father responded to his younger son’s request and allowed him to make his own choice to go his own way. The son “gathered” indicates that the son converted into cash all of his inheritance, which may have included land or cattle, which he then foolishly squandered in reckless living. In desperation the son hired himself out to a Gentile to feed pigs that would have been repugnant to him. No one gave him anything. All his friends deserted him.

When the son came to himself he realized that his sin was not only against his earthly father but in the deepest sense against heaven, that is, against God himself. The son came home and the father saw him from a distance. A long way off emphasizes the father’s great love; he must have been watching for the son. The father ran to him. The father cast aside all behavioral conventions of the time, as running was considered to be undignified for an older person, especially a wealthy landowner such as this man. embraced him. Literally “fell on his neck”. The prodigal repeats his prepared speech, but the father cuts him short before he finishes, showing that he has forgiven him.

The father directs his servants to gift him the best robe and ring. The best robe and ring and shoes give a picture of the finest clothing, so that the son is ornately dressed. The ring may have contained a seal, indicating that he has been reconciled and welcomed back as a full member of the family. A fattened calf was kept for special occasions. They will eat and celebrate in thanksgiving to God. The son was (assumed to be) dead, but is now alive (united with the family) again: a picture of membership in God’s kingdom.

While the younger son represents tax collectors and sinners, the older son represents the Pharisees. Both groups were listening to the parables of this chapter, but the Pharisees were probably the primary intended audience of this parable.

The brother had a much different response from that of the father. He was angry and grumbled about the Pharisees and scribes. The older brother protests that the welcome extended to the returning younger son is not fair, likening life with his father to years of servitude without celebration. The picture offers a sharp contrast between, on one hand, the mercy and grace extended by the father (representing God the Father) and, on the other hand, the self-righteous resentment (never disobeyed . . . yet you never gave me) of the older brother (exemplified by the Pharisees). The older brother refuses to acknowledge the prodigal as his brother. An affectionate appeal by the father, shows that he still loved the older son and wanted him to join in the celebration. By implication, Jesus is still inviting the Pharisees to repent and accept the good news.