Luke 15

Sinners

Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

Publicans, despised tax collectors and sinners drew near to Jesus to hear him. Never resist the desire to get close to Jesus and to hear him. Often, other things call for our attention. In the story of Martha and Mary, Martha was busy doing good things, but the better thing Mary was doing. She was at the feet of Jesus.

Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Sinners should come to Jesus, for he came to set them free. We never are so noble and worthy that we do not need to come to Jesus, to hear of him. We shall do this forever. He is the Word of God. However some think they are already with knowledge and do not seek Jesus. instead they judge those who do. Be careful if you think you have arrived on a higher level than others and are become their judge.

Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

They would never fellowship with sinners, although they were in truth sinners, perhaps more needy then them all. If we get to a place that we think we are too good to hear from Jesus or to witness to sinners for him, we need to repent.

But are we not told to be separate from sin? We are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

Fellowship here means to partake with them in their sins. We do not join with sinners to sin. We come to them to bring Jesus, his light, his truth. Remember, if we are the salt, we keep sin from spreading, bringing the gospel to the lost so that they may escape the snare of the devil. What if they don't receive your words? We are called to sow the good seed of God's word. Some we harvest. If they mock you and want no part of Jesus, leave them and go to others. Others would wish to hear from Jesus, so go to these.

Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Lost Sheep

Luke 15:3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

These sheep belonged to the owner. One out of one hundred was lost. One is lost in the wilderness of the world, confused, alone and in danger. The owner leaves the flock to find the lost one. The flock could be the church gathered together and one is missing. The Good Shepherd goes to the missing one to bring him back. He cares for his lost sheep and he is concerned for him.

Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Those who are gone astray from the Lord, he seeks, he bears you upon his shoulders with all your burdens. Is he unhappy to do this? No, he is rejoicing.

Luke 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

When a lost sheep is found and is returned to fellowship all who belong to the master should rejoice.

Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

The angels rejoice as well, for that which was lost has been found.

Lost Coin

Luke 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

Another parable; a story describing a spiritual message. Ten silver coins belonging to a woman, one has been found missing. The church is as a woman. The woman lights a candle, if the church is missing a person, they need to let their light shine. The light of the Holy Spirit is needed.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Luke 15:9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

The church should rejoice, but sometimes they would rather judge the one who has returned.

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

The angels rejoice, we should rejoice as well. God rejoices at restoration, what greater miracle is there than I life returned to God?

The Repentant Son

Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

Another parable about repentance and restoration. This is a familiar story often called the prodigal son. What's a prodigal? The dictionary defines prodigal as one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly. From my growing into adulthood years, I found that when there was money, there were new friends. When the money was gone, so were they. These were friends only when there were good times. A man had two sons.

Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

The younger one wanted his inheritance, but did not know responsibility.

Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Soon the young son had spent all of the inheritance on riotous living. Riotous, I think of an uproar as in a loud rock music concert. Where everything is confusion and intense emotion...fun?

Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

He was not wise; he was an unknown person without money to feed him and to buy his needs. Now a famine has come, food is scarce. We should try to have some money set aside for emergencies. Life is full of troubles, we would have money for our needs and to help others in need.

Luke 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

He became a servant to a stranger and did what was unclean to a Jew, he fed the unclean swine. He took care of animals that the Jews were to stay away from.

Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

He was so hungry that he desired to eat the corn husks, because no one gave him food. Many are homeless in our cities, some by choice. There is always a need for food. Why not feed someone today who cannot repay you and tell them about the love of Jesus?

Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

He began to see with a clear mind. His father fed his servants. He was serving someone who did not give him any good thing. Satan will lead you out into the world seeking a good time, but he will rob from you and give you no good thing. The father of the young man was good and he cared for his servants...better to be a servant and be fed, than a son away in a foreign land. Are you away from Father God, out in the world? Come home and be blessed, he loves you and will meet your needs.

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

The son was willing to humble himself and repent, not seeking his own way, but asking for mercy. He had seen the life apart from his father. The way of the father was a better life.

If you are away from Jesus and the Father, return now. Do not believe the lies of the devil. You belong with your Father and your Spiritual family. Repent, turn around, humbly come to him.

The Prodigals Father

Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

In this parable, the prodigal son has repented and comes back to his kind and generous father; no longer feeling worthy to be his son, but as a servant. This was no father of the world who wished to punish a foolish son. This was as our Father in heaven who seeks to bless us, if we will come to him with a repentant heart.

The Father was looking for him from a great distance.

Psa 113:5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
Psa 113:6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
Psa 113:7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
Psa 113:8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

He speaks the truth from a humble repenting heart. An earthly father might agree with him, but this was a Father who was long suffering and merciful.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

The robe of righteousness, the covering given through faith in Jesus.

Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

A ring on his hand, the symbol of authority, the seal of a king is on the ring. The believer receives the seal of God, the Holy Spirit. This is identifying him with the Father, through faith in Jesus Christ.

2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Again a great celebration and a joyous feast for one who was lost in the world, but who has repented, never again to leave the Father's loving presence.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

The Elder Son

Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

The elder son came from the field. The field is where work is done. He had been working hard. The parable can also apply to those who are in the church, working hard and being faithful. The field is also a place of planting the seed of the word and harvesting souls. The son may have been tired, now he hears music and dancing?

Luke 15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
Luke 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

How would you have reacted? The son who was faithful was not given music and dancing, but the son who was unfaithful gets the honor and celebration. To the natural man, this does not seem to be fair.

Luke 15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.
Luke 15:29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
Luke 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

Remember the first two brothers? Cain and Able, both worked and both shared their labors as a sacrifice. God accepted the offering of Able, a blood sacrifice pointing to the sacrifice of Jesus to come. Cain was angry at his brother and jealous. God the father warned him to not allow anger to produce sin and a wrong heart.

Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

The elder brother had been faithful, had done well, but now he is angry about the celebration for his brother who had sinned and returned. What if the elder brother had greeted the returning son? It would be a different story. One of anger and judgment, the repentant brother would have left in shame, perhaps being lost forever.

Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed the Lord, sought repentance from angry brothers. He went to the chief priests and elders.

Mat 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Mat 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
Mat 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Will we be like the chief priests and elders? Will those who work hard for the Lord, be the cause of the death of a sinner who repents and we give him condemnation instead of grace? The Father through Jesus is calling sinners to repent and to be received with joy, we must join in this, not be a hindrance to the returning wayward sons and daughters.

We must serve Jesus as in the Bible, not with church rules and customs that bind the sinner and put more bondage on them. Receive those who come looking for repentance, open the doors, celebrate, for the angels celebrate when a sinner repents. What spirit have we?

Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

The celebration was for a soul that had repented and found eternal life, if this offends we need to repent and find Jesus and a new heart.

Superragman@aol.com

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