Lost and Found

Luke 15 is Jesus’ response to Pharisaical grumbling (15:1-2). He responds with a parable (a simple story that conveys spiritual truths). It’s one parable (15:3 “So he told them this parable”) with three different episodes — a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. The actions of the shepherd, woman, and father become illustrations of God’s character, and what God is doing through his son, Jesus — Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” In the third episode of this parable (the lost son), Jesus expands the story. Parables are about contrast. This is not a story about one son, but two sons (a younger and older son) and more importantly, a father. There are beautiful lessons in the younger son’s departure and return, the father’s welcome, the older brother’s anger, and the father’s entreating love. In this episode we get a consistent view of God’s character. We see the patience and love of the father toward both sons.