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This week we are beginning our study of Luke Chapter 15. Please read verses 1 to 10 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 15:1-2 (Message)
‘By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.”’
Chapter 15 of Luke’s Gospel perhaps contains the three best known parables in the New Testament. In Sunday Schools all over the world, teachers spend time relating these wonderful stories to their children. Have you noticed how children like having the same stories told to them over and over again? It seems that they never grow tired of hearing them.
These parables are like those kind of stories. We could read them many, many times and still not tire of hearing the truth that is contained in each line. The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and the Lost Son all have an underlying theme that enthrals the reader: The Father’s love for the lost.
Here is a one-line summary of each parable:
- A shepherd goes looking for one lost sheep
- A woman searches her whole house for one lost coin
- A father’s heart continues to long for the return of his lost son.
Many people say that the order of the parables is important. The sequence is related to the proportion of the loss from smallest to largest. The first parable is about 1 sheep out of 100. The second is about 1 lost coin out of 10. Lastly, there is one son out of two that is lost. That may the case, but it is indisputable that the climax of the chapter and the more detailed of the parables is in regard to the Lost Son.
Very briefly today, I’m just going to mention a couple of things about the first two verses of this chapter and we’ll go on to the first two parables over the course of the week.
The most striking thing for me about verse 1 is that people ‘of doubtful reputation’ actually wanted to spend time with Jesus. Let’s not be misunderstood here, Jesus is the Son of God and therefore everything about His life was righteous and holy. There was something so attractive in the way He lived and in the manner in which He spoke that drew people to Him. I think that it was quite simple really. He said that He is the Life. This amazing life shone through Him and people whose lives were in darkness were drawn to the light.
In the world today we see so many people whose lives are empty and meaningless. Happiness is something experienced briefly during weekends. Jesus said that He came that we may have life – life in all its fullness. John 8 says “”I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” May we embrace that life and share it with those around us.
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