LUKE CHAPTER 15
In this chapter, Luke recounts three parables that show us how much God loves us. The stories of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin both involve something that was lost and is found. The shepherd who finds the sheep and the woman who finds the coin both rejoice when that was lost is recovered; and celebration ensues in both stories.These shorter stories lay the groundwork for the climactic parable of the Prodigal Son, a tale that teaches us—even in its smallest details—about the extravagant love of God for us. A son asks his father for an inheritance that should have only come to him after his father’s death. The son takes the money and squanders it, losing it and then his dignity when he is forced to support himself by tending swine (an animal considered unclean by the Jews in Jesus’ day). When he has hit rock bottom, he decides to go back to his father and ask if he can be one of his servants. But here is one of the most moving parts of the story. In ancient times, it was considered demeaning for an older man to be seen running. It was beneath his dignity. But what do we find here? The father has been watching for his son, for he sees him when he is still some distance away. And then he RUNS to meet his son. This is extravagant love—love that does not count the cost, love that is patient and does not count the wrongs inflicted by the beloved. THIS, friends, is the character of God. No matter what we have done, he waits for us and will run to us and welcome us home if we have been away. But one thing is for sure. We have a Father who loves us with a love we cannot fathom or understand.

During this holy time of Christmas, we see a demonstration of that love—lying in the manger. God himself has come to us to show us the way back to him. He has emptied himself in total self-sacrificial love because he is love. We can know that from the cross. There is a picture of Jesus on the cross. The caption says, “How much do you love me?” And Jesus, with his arms outstretched on the cross, says, “This much.” The Bible is the story of God’s love for us—from beginning to end. And that love story is embodied in Jesus.

Let us run to him and not stray far off thinking we will not be welcomed home. He is waiting for us, and he will run to welcome us home.

Luke 15

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, [a] if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons; 12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.’ And he divided his living between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on [b] the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on his him put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to make merry. 25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”