ONE TIME MANY TAX COLLECTORS AND OUTCASTS. These people came to Jesus in great numbers. TAX COLLECTOR. They worked for the Roman Occupation Army, and were thought of as traitors to their fellow Jews. Most had been dishonest and made themselves rich. OUTCASTS. People who had been "suspended" and no l... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PHARISEES AND THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW. The _Pharisees_ were the orthodox religious leaders. The _teachers of the Law_ were the _theologians._ AND EVEN EATS WITH THEM! No strict Jew could eat with Gentiles, and these people were classed in with the Gentiles. The Pharisees felt they could not _clo... [ Continue Reading ]
SUPPOSE ONE OF YOU HAS A HUNDRED SHEEP. Jesus gives three parables in this chapter to show God's love for his creation. A shepherd who lost one sheep would go out looking for it, even though the ninety-nine were safe. HE PUTS IT ON HIS SHOULDERS. A common custom. I AM SO HAPPY! This is God's attitud... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WILL BE MORE JOY IN HEAVEN. The Father, the Son, and all the angels! OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS. One who makes up his mind to _turn from sin_ and give his life as a _living sacrifice._ THAN OVER NINETY-NINE RESPECTABLE PEOPLE. God does not love the ones who are _"safe in the pasture"_ ANY LES... [ Continue Reading ]
OR SUPPOSE A WOMAN WHO HAS TEN SILVER COINS. It is the custom in the East to have a string of coins for a bracelet, necklace, etc. The _happiness_ of finding the lost coin shows the _happiness_ of God and his angels when a lost _sinner_ is found!... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD TWO SONS. The parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin symbolize Christ searching for the lost sinner. This parable of the Lost Son shows the lost sinner _bringing himself_ back to the Father's house. All three show the happiness over the sinner who turns from sin. The st... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN A SEVERE FAMINE. The world cannot meet the deep spiritual needs of mankind. TO TAKE CARE OF THE PIGS. This was just about as _low_ as a Jew could get FEEDING PIGS! [They were religiously _unclean animals._] WITH THE BEAN PODS. [The pods of the carob tree.] The _bean pods_ of sin make very poor... [ Continue Reading ]
AT LAST HE CAME TO HIS SENSES. He could see the mess he was in, and he remembered how it was _back home._ This is the contrast between _sin_ and_ salvation._ I WILL GET UP AND GO. This decision to _get up and go home_ is repentance. However, note that the younger son in this parable had no high moti... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HIS FATHER SAW HIM. Up to this point the parable tells a story that has happened many times in this world. Countless people have acted like this younger son. But the real difference in this parable is the _Father who waited!_ The father waiting and watching and while the younger son was still a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE OLDER SON. He is symbolic of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law in Luke 15:2. He is also symbolic of some Christians who fall into the trap which James speaks about (James 4:1-4). The older son is angry, because he sees no reason to forgive the younger son and welcome him back. The Pharisees... [ Continue Reading ]