Luke 15

If there's a theme to Chapter 15, it's God's joy over the repentance of sinners. You may remember early on how John the Baptist (3:3,8) and Jesus (5:32) called their listeners to repentance. Even though Jesus hasn't been shouting "Repent!" on the street corners, it has remained a bedrock concept underlying his message and interactions with others. And in this chapter, it re-emerges as a theme in a big way through the parable often known as the "prodigal son" (v. 11-32). This text gives us one of the most beautiful and enduring pictures of God's continuing love for us even if we reject him. If you still don't quite understand the idea of repentance, this parable vividly illustrates it through the story of a restored father-son relationship.

The opening verses of the chapter set the scene. Despite Jesus' admonition to potential followers to count the cost of discipleship in 14:25-35, a group of "tax collectors and sinners" are drawn to him (v. 1). This causes the Pharisees and scribes to grumble about his willingness to associate with such people (v. 2). Jesus is spurred to tell three stories explaining how God sees these sinners as they respond to his message. They are like a lost coin or sheep that has been found, like a rebellious son now ready to admit his mistakes. In the first two parables, the intense efforts of the shepherd and the woman to find what has been lost illustrate God's initiative in seeking sinners (v. 4, 8) and his joy in finding them (v. 6-7, 9-10).

But then Jesus takes it further with the story of the prodigal. Perhaps Jesus realizes the grumbling listeners need to grasp that God joyfully receives sinners even if they had previously completely rejected him. That's what the son was doing when he demanded his inheritance (v. 12), something that wouldn't normally be available until the father died. This abandonment of the father to pursue a life of sinful self indulgence (v. 13) is the choice of all sinners who refuse relationship with God. Desperation and degradation -- to the point of working with "unclean" swine -- eventually follow (v. 14-16). The son's circumstances lead him to repentance (v. 17-19). Examine these verses, they demonstrate a change of direction and a humble, contrite admission of being wrong. This is where God receives sinners and eats with them -- the very thing the Pharisees were complaining about in verse 2. It's the father's response to the son, as well. He is clearly watching and waiting for the son to return (v. 20). This is another verse that needs to be burned into your memory or at least posted prominently where you can see it every day. The father feels compassion for his son, runs to him, embraces him and kisses him. Likewise, God is eager and filled with joy at our repentance. The son is not even finished proposing that  he be treated as a hired hand before the father restores his position and begins preparing a feast, without so much as a rebuke for the bad behavior (v. 21-24).

If the son represents the repentant sinner and the father demonstrates how God joyfully receives the lost, who is the older brother? When we see his anger over the father's treatment of the prodigal (v. 28), the brother looks suspiciously like the Pharisees and scribes in verse 2. Yet, the father doesn't reject his older son, instead pleading that he join the party and affirming their relationship. Nonetheless, the now returned son is cause for rejoicing and celebration (v. 32).

Repentance is something that we need to embrace if we want to follow Jesus. To not do so is rejecting God's will for us. This is as necessary at the point of salvation or conversion, which parallels the prodigal's story, as it is on a regular basis in our daily lives. Like the older brother, we may have already accepted the idea that God has a place and a purpose for us. But do we have an attitude and practice of repentance? Can we graciously receive God's forgiveness or are we trying to make up for our shortcomings on our own? (We can't, by the way.) And, just as importantly, are we able to graciously and lovingly extend forgiveness to those who have done wrong to us or to others?

I'd like to hear your responses to these questions on Sunday. Think, too, about the characters in this parable. Do you identify with any of them? Do you agree with or find a message you like in this story? Are there any different meanings you draw from it? Be ready to discuss this important parable!