Luke Chapter 15 and the Parable of the Prodigal Son
Introduction
In Luke Chapter 15, God gives us three parables with a very similar theme and teaching. Those three parables harmonize to form a larger parable, ending with the “Parable of the Prodigal Son” to teach us one of God’s most important lessons. That lesson, as spoken directly from the Mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ, is indeed “a Parable“. So let us proceed to see what that lesson is?
The three related parables concluding with the “Parable of The Prodigal Son” are:
#1) The Lost Sheep: One Out of 100 sheep
#2) The Lost Coin: One Out of Ten pieces of silver
#3) The Lost Son: One Out of Two sons
The Introduction for the Three Parables: The “Sinners” Versus the “Righteous“
Luke chapter 15 begins with these words in the first two verses:
Luke 15:1-2, “¶Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”
Here there is a clear division/distinction of the people in Jesus presence in this given setting. The publicans (tax collectors) and sinners on the one hand, and the Pharisees and the scribes on the other. The publicans and sinners “drew near” “to hear” Jesus, while the Pharisees and the scribes “murmured“, who were the self-righteous ones, saying that Jesus welcomed sinners and ate with them. That is the set-up for what follows next.
But before we move on, there are two verses to consider in the context of the above, first with respect to “drew” or “drawing” are John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”, and secondly, with respect to “hearing Jesus”, we have the account where God the Father explicitly said regarding Jesus, Matthew 17:5, “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. and also in Mark 9:7, “¶And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.” And we also know that, according to Romans 10:17, “So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.“
The publicans* (tax collectors) and sinners were shown to be in the Will of God, being “drawn” by God to “hear” Jesus, but the Pharisees* and scribes refused to hear Jesus, and spoke their own words against Him as well as those who followed Him.
*Given that we are presented with these two specific named groups of people, the “publicans” who “drew near” to “hear” Jesus, over against the “Pharisees“, we cannot help but take a moment to remember another parable of Jesus, the one which addresses the key difference between these two groups of people as seen from God’s perspective. And that lesson also harmonizes well with what we will find below in this study of Luke Chapter 15.
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican
In Luke 18:9-14, we read, “¶And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.“ In this parable we see a disconsolate repentant/penitent sinner, who is identified as a “publican”, asking for mercy from God, over against a self-righteous person, who is identified as a “Pharisee” who sees himself as having no need of repentance, and yet is still dead in trespasses and sins. Jesus makes clear who will receive mercy, exaltation, and exultation in Heaven with God, as opposed to condemnation to an eternity in Hell away from God. Please keep that in mind as we proceed to look at the rest of Luke Chapter 15.
Luke 15:3, “And he spake this parable unto them, saying,”
God is telling us that we are about to hear a “parable” (actually three parables that address the same issue), which reflects back to what just occurred in the previous two verses. But going forward, we must remember that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. For more on the purpose of parables please see: “God’s Word is a Mystery“
The Whole Parable Deals with Lost Sinners, Who Are Lost Souls, and the God’s Joy in Saving His People!
#1) The Parable of the Lost Sheep: One Out of 100 Sheep
Luke 15:4-6, “¶What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose (ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi))G622 one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost (ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi)) G622, until he find it? And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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 (ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi))G622.
Jesus then immediately expounded the meaning of that parable in the next verse,
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 Primary Lesson that we must conclude is that we are provided with a clear description of the Joy that God has over the salvation of His Elect…those lost sinners who are recovered by God..
The saving of the soul of one sinner who repents is more valuable to God than all those who without sin and hence need no repentance. The 99 represent those who are self-righteous, and “appear” to be “just”, but are nonetheless still dead in trespasses and sins because all of mankind are sinners and everyone needs to repent. Jesus came to save those who are “lost”, who know that they are lost sinners, and who know that they need a Savior (the Good Shepherd, Jesus) to save them, and they repent of their sins. An unsaved sinner will not do that of his or her own accord, because they think of themselves as being ok as is, and, therefore, are “justified” in his or her own eyes, and not “lost” therefore having no need for repentance.
The original Greek word that is translated as “lost” is ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi)G622, which the King James translators interpreted in the following manner: perish (33x), destroy (26x), lose (22x), be lost (5x), lost (4x), miscellaneous (2x).
This is quite similar to Matthew 18:10&11, where we read, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost (ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi)) G622.
Then, in the verses that immediately follow, we read in Matthew 18:12-15, “¶How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray (πλανάω (planaō)) G4105, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray (πλανάω (planaō)) G4105? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went (πλανάω (planaō))G4105 not astray (πλανάω (planaō)) G4105. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.“
The word for “astray” in the original Greek is πλανάω (planaō)G4105 , and the King James Translators interpreted that word as following manner: deceive (24x), err (6x), go astray (5x), seduce (2x), wander (1x), be out of the way (1x).
1 Peter 2:25, “For ye were as sheep going astrayG4105; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.“
And let us not forget, Jesus said in both Matthew 12:30, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth (σκορπίζω (skorpizō))G4650 abroad.” and Luke 11:23, “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth (σκορπίζω (skorpizō))G4650.” And Jesus makes clear that this scattering is related to the “sheep” as we read in John 10:12, “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth (σκορπίζω (skorpizō))G4650 the sheep.”
It is also interesting to note that (σκορπίζω (skorpizō))G4650 is derived from the Greek word for “scorpion” (σκορπίος (skorpios)G4651, which means “to pierce.”
- Matthew 18:11, “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
- Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.“
- Luke 5:32, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
The “Lost Sheep” Correlates with the “Parable of the Good Shepherd”
The fact that Jesus speaks a parable concerning a “lost” sheep brings to mind other of His parables that relate to sheep and Himself as the Good Shepherd, which provides us with some additional insights on what salvation involves.
In John 10:1-16, we read the Parable of the Good Shepherd, “¶Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. ¶Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whoseown the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd.
And a bit later in John 10:25-30, “¶Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand. I and [my] Father are one.“
It is clear in the above, that Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, will not lose a single one of His sheep!
And before we leave this analogy, we should remember how God chastised the “shepherds” of Old Testament Israel appointed to protect His Flock, National Israel, in Ezekiel 34:1-10, and, in particular, what we read in Ezekiel 34:6, “My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek [after them].
#2) The Parable of the Lost Coin: One Out of Ten Pieces of Silver
Luke 15:8, “¶Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose (ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi))G622 one piece, doth not light a candle (λύχνος (lychnos))G3088 , and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find [it]? 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 G622.“
Here we are reminded of another of Jesus’ teachings regarding another aspect of salvation. In Matthew 5:14-16, we read, “¶Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light (καίω (kaiō))G2545 a candle (λύχνος (lychnos))G3088, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.“
And this is similar to what we read in both Luke 8:16, “No man, when he hath lighted (ἅπτω (aptō))G681 a candle (λύχνος (lychnos))G3088, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.” and Luke 11:33, “No man, when he hath lighted (ἅπτω (aptō))G681 a candle (λύχνος (lychnos))G3088, putteth [it] in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.”
And also in Mark 4:21-23, ҦAnd he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
The souls of the lost sinners who become saved are to glorify God by sharing the Light of Gospel of Salvation so that more lost sinners might be found.
Luke 15:10, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Again, the Primary Lesson that we must conclude is that we are provided with a clear description of the Joy that God has over the salvation of His Elect.
#3) The Parable of the Lost (Prodigal) Son: One Out of Two Sons
Luke 15:11-32, “¶And he said, A certain man had two sons: 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. 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. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. ¶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! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. ¶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. 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. ¶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: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. ¶ Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 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. ¶And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 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: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. ¶And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 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.“
Now this third parable, of the Prodigal Son, is a much larger parable, with many spiritual implications, of which we will proceed to touch on only a few. We will begin by breaking the parable down into a sequence of events, and then see how each event relates to the Gospel of Salvation and to the overall context of this chapter in the book of Luke.
Let’s look at each of element of the Parable from a Biblical perspective, using only scripture to explain scripture:
A wealthy man and father, had two sons, the younger of the two had a rebellious spirit. The younger son assertively requested that he receive his earthly inheritance from his father, to which his father assented.
- God Is our Father in Heaven, as we read in Malachi 2:10, “Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?“ God allows each of us to have our way, to one degree or another, and that way only leads to death, apart from God’s divine intervention. Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 , “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.” Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We are also informed and admonished in James 1:13-15: “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” This three-step process ends only in death. Mankind is responsible for the sin (NOT God!), despite the circumstances that led to it as ordained by God, Who Is totally Sovereign.
The younger son then departed his father’s house to a far country where he wasted his inheritance on “riotous living“, which we can only presume involved all manner of sin.
- Every person on this earth is a rebellious soul by nature, due to the original sin of Adam, and by nature we all have a rebellious heart. We want our own way and selfishly want our will to rule our lives and flee far from God. Romans 3:10&11, “¶As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.“
Just at the point after he had spent all, a “mighty famine” “arose” (calamity hit), and the younger son became destitute.
- God sends calamities, typified by the “mighty famine“, as one way to bring us to our knees. We may try to find help and solace from man, and the world, but it will not suffice. We know that God is Sovereign over all creation, as we read in Amos 3:6, “…shall there be evil (רָעָה֙, ra-ah) in a city, and the LORD hath not done it?” and in 1 Samuel 2:6-9, “The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. (And regarding the ability of God to cause mighty famines, we read of the worst famine that will ever befall mankind, which is apparently happening now in our day, Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:“)
The younger son first sought help from a citizen of the far country, who put him to work tending swine.
- God makes it clear that swine/pigs are “unclean”, and that anyone who has anything to do with them are also unclean. So this situation epitomizes the lowest level of depravity to which the younger son had fallen into. Leviticus 11:7 (and also Deuteronomy 14:8), “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he [is] unclean to you.”
He was so hungry that he would have eaten the pig’s food, and no man would help him.
- There was no help or comfort from man for sin. Psalm 60:11, “Give us help from trouble: for vain [is] the help of man.” (see also Psalm 108:12 and Psalm 146:3)
Upon recognizing his desolate starving state, the younger son came to his senses and saw that he was an unworthy, unclean, wretched sinner, both against Heaven (God) and his father, and he arose to go back to his father to confess his sins and say “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” and would happily become a slave in his father’s house.
- The younger son remembered (“came to himself“) that there was bread in his father’s house, and he knew that even a slave of his father was better off than he was. Ezekiel 18:27&28, “Again, when the wicked [man] turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.” As stated above, the father represents God The Father, and Jesus Is the Bread of life Who Is in The Father’s House, as we read in John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.“
- The younger son “arose” indicating that he was being drawn by God to repentance, because we read that his father had compassion towards him, and thus he had become “resurrected” soul in spirit. God has compassion and love for His elect sons and daughters, even when still dead in trespasses and sins as we read in Ephesians 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened (made alive) us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and Colossians 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;“. And with regard to the younger son being in a “far” country, we know from Acts 2:39, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.” and Ephesians 2:13, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.“and Ephesians 2:17, “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.“ And in Isaiah 43:6&7, God says, “I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; [Even] every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.“
- He also said to himself and his father later, “make me as one of thy hired servants” and I “am no more worthy to be called thy son.” Psalm 84:10, “For a day in thy courts [is] better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.“
When the father saw his younger son coming, he had compassion on him and ran to him and kissed him.
- The father’s having quickly run to prodigal son reminds us of Psalm 34:18, “The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” and Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
The son humbly confessed his sins to his father “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.“
- Upon arrival at his father’s house, likely in smelly filthy rags, the younger son was REPENTANT and confessed in a manner similar to what we read in Psalm 51:4, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.” Psalm 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” and perhaps most clearly we see the heart of a repentant sinner in the Psalm 51:1-19.
Whereupon the father then clothed his younger son in the “best robe“, and “put a ring on his hand” and “shoes on [his] feet”
The Best Robe
- The father’s putting of the “best robe” on his younger son (with the ring for his hand and shoes for his feet) together with the rejoicing that accompanied his return, should remind us of Isaiah 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.” and Psalm 132:9, “Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. and Psalm 132:16, “I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.“ We should not forget the “white robes” representing Jesus’ imputed righteous to his saints in Heaven that we read of in Revelation 7:9, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;“
The Ring on His Hand
- We know that in the Bible, rings, are used to make seals on decrees with authority. We are reminded of Pharaoh (a “Type” representing God the Father) granting authority to Joseph (a “Type” of the Lord Jesus Christ) as we read in Genesis 41:42&43, “And Pharaoh took off his ring (טַבַּעַת (ṭabaʿaṯ)H2885 from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him [ruler] over all the land of Egypt.” This was also the case in the Book of Esther, where we read in Esther 8:2, “And the king took off his ring טַבַּעַת (ṭabaʿaṯ) H2885, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. as well as in Esther 8:8, “Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal [it] with the king’s ring (טַבַּעַת (ṭabaʿa)) H2885: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring טַבַּעַת (ṭabaʿaṯ)H2885, may no man reverse.” King Ahasuerus (another “Type” representing God the Father) granted Mordecai (another “Type” representing the Lord Jesus Christ) authority by virtue of giving him the king’s ring.
The Shoes on [His] Feet
- As for the shoes put on his feet, we are reminded of Ephesians 6:15, “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” whereby the believer (the repentant sinner who is clothed with Christ’s righteousness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is prepared to go forth and preach the Gospel of Salvation to others.
The father ordered a feast involving he killing of a “fatted calf” to be held to rejoice in that “my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.“
- The killing of the “fatted calf” reminds of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice by which God made possible our attendance to the ultimate feast, the joyful wedding feast in Heaven between Jesus and His Bride, the Church. And as for the rejoicing, we are reminded of 1 Thessalonians 2:19&20, “For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.“
The Elder Son
The older brother who had been working in the field of his father, heard the merriment (there was music and singing and dancing) and was told the reason, he became angry and refused to partake of the celebratory feasting for his lost brother’s return. (Reminiscent of Vashti who also would not come to the king’s feast in the Book of Esther) The father then came out of the house to the older brother and requested that he come in, but the elder son said it was not fair to him because he had never left his father’s house, “neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment” and was faithful servant his whole life, but yet he never received such rejoicing. Nonetheless, the father also said, “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.“
From an earthly perspective (man’s perspective) the elder son would have had every reason and right to be resentful, but sadly that is an evil perspective. The elder brother refused to enter in to the feast. The earthly father “entreated” him, and made clear why the elder should be rejoicing that who was dead is now alive and who was lost is now found, while promising the elder son he would still receive the entire earthly inheritance.
So then, what about God’s perspective? A believer will have the mind of Christ as is written in 1 Corinthians 2:16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Note the father had “compassion” on the younger son, but the elder brother did not. The elder brother was “angry” hence neither “compassionate” nor “loving” towards his brother and selfishly thought of himself. We also should note that in discussing his brother with his father, he did not even call him his “brother”, but instead he referred to him as “this thy son”.
We are told first in Leviticus 19:17, “¶ Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart:…” Then we are told in Matthew 22:37, “¶Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Later also we read in 1 John 4:20, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.“
The elder brother was being likened by Jesus to the Pharisees and the scribes, who in their own self-righteousness, resented the sinners and publicans who followed Jesus, and hence did not have love in their hearts for either them or Jesus (Who is God). They represent the unsaved of the world who think that they are fine with God and remain unrepentant (like the Pharisee in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican in Luke 18:9-14).
Finally, the father said that it was appropriate to hold such a celebration because, “for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.“
Again, the Primary Lesson that we must conclude is that we are provided with a clear description of the Joy that God has over the salvation of His Elect.
Epilogue: God’s Economy Is NOT Man’s Economy
We should stop and think about another another pair of brothers, Cain (the elder) and Abel (the younger), and what we are told about them with regard to God’s perspective in 1 John 3:10-15, “¶In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, [who] was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. ¶Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.“
Abel offered the acceptable sacrifice of blood because he believed God. And that blood of the lamb typified and pointed to the ultimate atoning sacrifice of Jesus, The Lamb of God. Cain’s offering was one of works, which had no reference to Jesus at all. Abel was deemed righteous by his imputed faith of Jesus Christ to whom his offering looked.
Abel is dead, but his faith and example are yet spoken of. These two brothers represent the world’s two religions, Salvation by grace through Jesus’s Atoning Sacrifice or salvation by human works!
And how can we forget to mention another pair of brothers, Esau (the elder) and Jacob (the younger). Man’s economy would have said that Esau should have gotten all of the inherited benefits, because Esau was the first born, he was a hard worker for his father Isaac, and he was a mighty hunter who put food on the table for the family. Jacob, whose very name means “usurper”, deceived his father and stole his brother’s Esau’s birthright and Patriarchal blessing. And what was the reaction of Jacob’s elder brother Esau? We read in Genesis 27:41, “¶And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.”
In all three cases of the Biblical accounts of three pairs of brothers:
- The two brothers in the Parable of the Prodigal Son
- Cain and Abel
- Esau and Jacob
The elder of each pair of brothers hated the younger, and in each case all three elder brothers were viewed by God as “murderers“. And, therefore, we should also remember what Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 8:44, “Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
And with respect to the latter pair of brothers, God tells us the following in Romans 9:12-16, “It was said unto her (Issac’s wife Rebecca in Genesis 25:23), The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (in Malachi 1:2&3). ¶What shall we say then? [Is there] unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion (Exodus 33:19). So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.“
God’s Economy is NOT man’s economy. Jesus’ Parable of “The Servants in the Vineyard”, as is presented in Matthew 20:1-16, explains more about God’s Economy, which some might describe as “equal pay for unequal work“. This is because we are saved not by our works, but by the Grace of God alone. Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.“
Matthew 20:10&11, “But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received [it], they murmured against the goodman of the house,” and then we read at the end of the parable in Matthew 20:15&16, where the Master of the Vineyard says, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Notice that in this parable those who “murmured” (like the Pharisees and the scribes) were viewed as having an “evil eye” because they rejected God’s economy. The lesson of this parable as well as those in Luke Chapter 15, is that if we are saved at any point in our lives, we become the servants of God to work in His field to harvest souls, and it does not matter when any believer joins into that work, at the end of the day, all the believers will receive the same wage…and certainly not a “penny” but rather Eternal Life with God in Heaven! And they will definitely not be angry, resentful, or murmuring in their hearts, but rather will be rejoicing in Heaven with God!
Luke 7:40, “¶And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. ¶There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? ¶Simon answered and said, I suppose that [he], to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.“Luke 7:47, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.“
A Fourth Pair of Brothers: Ishmael and Isaac
Before moving on we should take a look at one last pair of brothers in the Old Testament, Ishmael and Isaac. In Galatians 4:21-30, we read of these two brothers, and roles that each play when understood in the spiritual context. Paul explains how each are allegorical references to the differences between those who are born of the Spirit, and hence God’s Elect children (the true eternal Israel, which includes Gentiles represented by Isaac) versus the others who remain under condemnation by the works of the Law (typified by the Jews of Jesus’ day represented by Ishmael), “¶Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written (in Genesis 21:8–21), that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he [who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman [was] by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written (in Isaiah 54:1 ), Rejoice, [thou] barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. ¶Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him [that was born] after the Spirit, even so [it is] now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.“
The Apostle Paul expands his tutorial of the variance between Ishmael and Isaac in Romans 9:6-9, “¶Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed., For this [is] the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.“
The bottom line is that mankind, through its own efforts, will never achieve salvation, because, as we read in Jonah 2:9, ” Salvation [is] of the LORD.”, and Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” and finally Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
More Corroboration
Matthew 9:11-13, “And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? ¶But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Jesus was referring back to Hosea 6:6, “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.“)
Micah 6:6-8, “Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, [or]with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn [for] my transgression, the fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?“
John 9:39, “¶And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.¶And [some] of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? ¶Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.“
Ishamahel and
Conclusion:
Jesus came to save the lost sinners, who become repentant sinners, and NOT the righteous! And God rejoices in Heaven over every sinner who repents and becomes saved!
The bottom line is stated clearly in Luke 19:10, where Jesus tells us: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
This is repeated in Matthew 9:10-13, “¶And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? ¶But when Jesus heard [that], he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.“
The sinners that God has called to repentance. The sheep of God, for whom the Good Shepherd of the believers’s souls came and died to save, as we read in 1 Peter 2:25, “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
2 Peter 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 (ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi))G622, but that all should come to repentance.
Matthew 4:17,”¶From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Finally, let us all remember what God says in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “¶For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.“
POSTSCRIPT:
The more that this teacher studies and searches the scriptures, the more it becomes apparent what God said by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.“ May all who have been given the ears to hear and the eyes to see, say “Praise God!, Hallelujah!, Oh What a Savior we have in Jesus!”
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
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