The Servant Messiah 18
A Friend of Publicans and Sinners Luke 15
In answer to the criticism of the Scribes and Pharisees Messiah tells a moving parable about finding the lost. He has come to seek and to save the lost. Messiah’s mission is to win man’s heart, change his direction in life and lead him to a saving relationship both in this life and the life to come.
A shepherd has genuine compassion for a sheep that has strayed from the flock. He even leaves the ninty nine sheep unshepherded for a period of time while he searches for the lost one. Finding the lost sheep is a time of triumph and rejoicing. A celebration is in order. God feels the same way about a sinner who repents.
A housewife puts forth real effort to find a coin that is lost. She lights lamp and takes a broom in hand. What a joy she has when she finds the lost coin. A real celebration with invited neighbors is in order. The heavnely beings have similar feelings and celebrations as they rejoice with God over one sinner who repents.
A father has two sons. The younger one gets money from him to begin his own life, but he is a youthful adventurer. He wastes his money on wine, women, and song. When he must take a job feeding swine, the lowest kind of labor, he comes to himself. He will go back home and tell his father the whole story. He will take a job on his farm and repay him for the wasted inheritance. He did not expect the reception he received. The grateful father’s compassion cannot be restrained. He meets the returning son with an embrace. A celebration feast is in order with the fatted calf on the table. Messiah points out that the heavenly father rejoices and celebrates when a sinner comes to himself and journeys home.
The older brother did not want to join in the rejoicing, for he feels slighted. He has been faithful and has not wandered. He has never been so honored and does not feel loved. The father loves both sons equally as much and explains this to try to relieve his disgruntled feelings: "You are always with me and all I have is yours. It is right for us to make merry, for your brother was lost but now he is found." The Pharisees and Scribes cannot understand the friend of sinners.
In answer to the criticism of the Scribes and Pharisees Messiah tells a moving parable about finding the lost. He has come to seek and to save the lost. Messiah’s mission is to win man’s heart, change his direction in life and lead him to a saving relationship both in this life and the life to come.
A shepherd has genuine compassion for a sheep that has strayed from the flock. He even leaves the ninty nine sheep unshepherded for a period of time while he searches for the lost one. Finding the lost sheep is a time of triumph and rejoicing. A celebration is in order. God feels the same way about a sinner who repents.
A housewife puts forth real effort to find a coin that is lost. She lights lamp and takes a broom in hand. What a joy she has when she finds the lost coin. A real celebration with invited neighbors is in order. The heavnely beings have similar feelings and celebrations as they rejoice with God over one sinner who repents.
A father has two sons. The younger one gets money from him to begin his own life, but he is a youthful adventurer. He wastes his money on wine, women, and song. When he must take a job feeding swine, the lowest kind of labor, he comes to himself. He will go back home and tell his father the whole story. He will take a job on his farm and repay him for the wasted inheritance. He did not expect the reception he received. The grateful father’s compassion cannot be restrained. He meets the returning son with an embrace. A celebration feast is in order with the fatted calf on the table. Messiah points out that the heavenly father rejoices and celebrates when a sinner comes to himself and journeys home.
The older brother did not want to join in the rejoicing, for he feels slighted. He has been faithful and has not wandered. He has never been so honored and does not feel loved. The father loves both sons equally as much and explains this to try to relieve his disgruntled feelings: "You are always with me and all I have is yours. It is right for us to make merry, for your brother was lost but now he is found." The Pharisees and Scribes cannot understand the friend of sinners.
posted by Dr. James F. Hubbard at 4:00 PM
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