Luke 15

Luke 15. Who was there with Christ?

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. (Luke 15:1-2)

The sinners were listening; the religious leaders were judgmental. He gave both groups the parables of sheep and pieces of silver that were lost and found. Both stories affirm that when a lost person turns to God, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10)

But He didn’t stop there. He went on to tell of a father who loved his children. One son had such disrespect that he didn’t care whether his father was lived or died, he just wanted half of what would have been his inheritance if his father had died. It was given to him with a word of complaint or suggestion, and he left.

One son stayed with his father. There is no indication that son disobeyed in any way. In fact, verse 29 confirms that he never transgressed a commandment given by his father.

Yet when the prodigal returned, the father rejoiced For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:24)

The faithful son was so angry at this rejoicing; angry at the love shown the disrespectful, disobedient child. He was angry and hurt that their father had never offered him an animal for any reason, though he had stayed, faithfully observed and obeyed his father.

The understanding father entreated his son, 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. (Luke 15:31-32)

Which one are we? The sinner/publican prodigal or the Pharisee/scribe faithful sons? Can we accept the other’s inheritance?

If we come home late after years of sinfulness, can we accept receiving no more than we took when we ignored our Father? Can we accept the words He gives to the faithful, “all that I have is thine”?

If we stay faithful, obedient, keeping the commandments, can we accept the prodigal’s welcome: 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. (Luke 15:20)

Verse 32 ends the chapter and the next one moves on to a new parable. We do not know the outcome. Did the faithful son accept his brother, or did he say something such as: This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:2)

Come, spend a few moments to read Luke 15. Pray before you do so. God prepared His welcome.