The Prodical Son

Context Sheep and Coins

V 1-2

Tax collectors and sinners were coming to listen to Jesus

the religious people were grumbling because Jesus was associating with the sinners

so this is the context of these 3 parables

the lost sheep

the 99 sheep represent the pharisees who see themselves as perfect not needing to repent for anything

the 1 lost sheep represents the sinner who the good shepherd goes out and finds

and this lost sheep that is found repents and comes into the fold

his outlook on life is changed

his destiny is changed

he has gone from being lost to found

the coin

the one lost coin is worthless as long as it is lost

the woman who represents God is looking desperately for this coin that is lost

until this lost coin is found

the lost coin represents the sinner who repents

the 9 represents the ones who don’t need repentance because they are not lost

because they are good enough and in their minds have nothing to repent over

so we have 3 main characters in the 2 parables

The Father who is looking for the lost

the sinner who is lost

the religious people who don’t need to be found

Jesus here is speaking to the religious leaders and they are upset at Jesus for associating himself with the sinners

so this next parable is speaking of this same thing

with its 3 main characters the

the prodigal son, spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.

the Father who loves his son very much

the older son who hates the father and the brother

what these 3 parables is demonstrating is the Joy in Heaven that happens when a sinner is found and repents

but it’s also demonstrating the legalistic working for your salvation

The Wayward Son

V 11-15

this son has done everything he can do to get as far away from his father as possible

asks for his inheritance..

leaves the country…

squanders everything…

feeding the pigs

the pharisees listening to this is is gasping in horror

as to the depth of sin this man is in

they are saying good he gets what he deserves

they are thinking no one can say that about me

I am good. I am sinless. I follow all the rules

V 16 the famine was severe

the hogs were eating better than he was

he was destitute, hungry, he is as deep into sin as he could possibly go

and realizes there has to be a change

V 17

I will return to my Father

beg to be a hired worker

he knows he is not worthy to be a son

what he has done has disqualified him from being a member of the family

I am considered dead to the family

V 18 - 21

this man comes to the Father and repents

V 7, V 10

in the first 2 we see the Father seeking the lost

in this we see the other side of salvation

our responsibility

to repent and believe

to turn from sin and come to the Father for forgiveness

to turn from our own way to Jesus for salvation

turn from death to life

to change your mind about life and death

and eternal salvation

because on my own I really messed it up

V 22 -24

the Father welcomed him with open arms

there was a great celebration

new clothes with a new ring on his finger

this man is saved

with a new life

this man was lost now found

V 32

but this is not who this parable is about

we want to make this parable about him

but remember who Jesus is talking to

V 1-2 the scribes and pharisees are angry that the sinners are listening to Jesus

Jesus is hanging around the tax collectors

they have gone down a path of destruction they deserve what they get

we are not like them. we are like

The Older Brother

the one who keeps all the rules

the one who’s behavior is impeccable

V 25-27

your brother has come home

he was dead now is alive

there is great rejoicing going on

he has repented and come home

but

V 28

would not go into the Fathers feast

but made his Father come out from the party

would not join his father in celebrating

in fact he is angry with God for allowing the sinner to come home

the religious leaders are now beginning to see that Jesus is talking about them

and they are seeing that Jesus is saying that sinners who come home is what makes the Father happy

they are angry that the Father is allowing this man to repent

they are seeing that Jesus is rebuking them for their self righteousness

Now Jesus is going to put the nail in their coffin

V 29-30

I have followed the rules

I I I ME MY

I just came in from the fields serving you

I have done everything right

I always do what you want me to do

I don’t love you

I don’t really know you

but you owe me

on the other hand He did, he did

the older brother definitely does not love the younger

has no compassion

he gets what he deserves

and he really does not deserve the party that you are throwing

V 31

The religious people of Jerusalem has all the promises of God

the blessings of God

if they were to just turn from their self righteousness

look to the father for forgiveness

these men cannot see their sin because they are so religious

unlike their brother who wound up in the pig pen

sometimes God has to take us to the pigpen and starving before we say to ourselves

the Father has a better way

I must confess my sin and return to Him

but if you have the attitude of the older brother you have no need to confess

have no need to be found

everything is under control spiritually

I am doing all the right things

saying the right things

God owes me

V 31

there is a celebration in Heaven when a dead person is made alive

when a lost person is found

what is your attitude?

do some self examination …