“The Parable of the Lost Son”

“The Parable of the Lost Son” Luke 15:11-32

Three Parables in Luke 15 • "The Parable of the Lost Sheep" - Luke 15:1-7 • "The Parable of the Lost Coin" - Luke 15:8-10 • "The Parable of the Lost (Prodigal) Son" - Luke 15:11-32

With all three parables… • We are enlightened concerning the Father’s love for the lost. • Jesus was reproving the Pharisees about their attitude toward sinners who repent. • Jesus makes clear what our attitude should be toward the lost!

The setting of the parables • Tax collectors & sinners drew near to Jesus - Luke 15:1 • The "tax collectors" (publicans, ASV/KJV) were Jews who collected taxes for the Romans. • The "sinners" were the “other people” of bad reputation

The setting of the parables • The Pharisees and scribes complain about Jesus receiving sinners – Luke 15:2 • The "Pharisees" and "scribes" were among the religious leaders at the time… • While the publicans and sinners drew near to Jesus, these religious leaders encouraged others to stay away from Him. • Jesus had been seen dining with other tax collectors before (Luke 5:27-29) • Sinners would often come to Him, to the shock and dismay of the Pharisees and scribes (Luke 7:36-39)

The Parable of the Lost Son • His farewell - Luke 15:11-13a • The younger son asks his father to give him his portion of the inheritance due him • Deuteronomy 21:17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. (NKJV) • The father gave the young man his portion, and not many days later, the younger son gathered his things together and traveled to a far-away country.

The Parable of the Lost Son • The result of his wastefulness - Luke 15:13-16 • With prodigal (wasteful) living, he exhausts all of his possessions • His poverty is only made worse by a famine striking the country… • So he hires himself to another to feed his pigs • This was an act of desperation - Leviticus 11:4-8

The Parable of the Lost Son • He finally comes to his senses - Luke 15:17-19 • Welcomed by his father - Luke 15:20-24 • Jealously rejected by his brother - Luke 15:25-32

The Main Elements of the Parable • The father represents our heavenly Father • The prodigal son in coming home embodies the penitent sinner • The elder brother exposed the attitude of the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes (Luke 15:2)

Key Lessons to Learn from the Parable • Many times those who live good lives may show contempt when a sinner repents… • Those who are faithful indeed have the blessings of God • No one can take those blessings away from them. • We should desire that those blessings be shared with others.

Key Lessons to Learn from the Parable • Matthew 3:8 “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” • Acts 26:19 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. (NKJV)

In Conclusion • "The Parable of the Lost Son", along with the two previous ones, was told by Jesus to teach some important lessons to the scribes and Pharisees… • Imagine how these parables comforted those "tax collectors and sinners" who had drawn near to Jesus!

In Conclusion • Our heavenly Father loves His children • The faithful children of God need to understand the proper way to receive the erring child who returns. • When a soul turns away from Him, God desires very much for them to return with a penitent attitude.

“The Parable of the Lost Son”