God's Grace

Introduction

For so long we have called the parable in Luke 15 “The Prodigal Son” that to call it anything else doesn’t capture our attention. This parable is the last parable in a set of three that Jesus tells to make one point — God rejoices when sinners repent. But the background for each parable is found in verses 1—2. Jesus is surrounded by tax collectors and sinners. What we might call the dregs of society surround Jesus to hear him teach. They are intrigued by his words and Jesus does nothing to resist them or to dismiss them. Instead he welcomes them.

This brings criticism from religious leaders. They mutter under their breath that Jesus welcomes “these” sinners and he even eats with them. Eating with others was a sign of fellowship and of being in relationship with one another. How could Jesus allow such sinners be around him? Didn’t he understand that the stain of sin would rub off on him? It is with these mutterings and criticisms that Jesus tells these three parables. All three have the same point, but each is told in ascending degree of making his point. The first parable is about a man who loses a sheep. He leaves the 99 safely in the fold and goes out to search for the missing sheep. When he finds the sheep, he brings it home and there is great rejoicing among his friends because his livelihood can continue without the loss of a single one. Jesus says heaven rejoices over one who repents than over 99 who do not need to repent. God wants sinners in his presence.

The second parable is similar but more profound. A woman loses a coin. We mustn’t miss the importance of the coins. For women the silver coins were their safety account. Because women did not share in the wealth in the same way as men, then a woman whose husband might die or leave her needed some emergency funds. Such were the coins. To lose one was to lose part of one’s rainy day fund. Even a simple lost coin found brings about great rejoicing. Why? Because God rejoices over one sinner who repents. Whether sheep or coins, God is interested in drawing sinners to himself. He is interested in finding the one who is lost and bringing that one back.

These two parables set up a contrast between Jesus’ approach to sinners and the religious leaders approach to sinners. Jesus ate with them; religious leaders shunned them. Jesus rolled out the red carpet; religious leaders locked the doors. It is in the third parable that the contrast between God’s approach to sinners and the religious leader’s approach becomes more pronounced. But all three parables focus on God. That will be our focus today as well.

The Story

When we view this third parable in light of the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders, the parable takes on a greater significance. It becomes more allegorical than parabolic and as a result we can see why the religious leaders became even more upset with Jesus. Two boys. Two boys with the same father. Two boys who are as different as can be. One boy, the younger, disrespects his father. He doesn’t want to stay around and he longs for freedom. Freedom from the rules and freedom from obedience. So with a pocket full of money he seeks his freedom.

But freedom seekers rarely count on the unexpected. Famine takes over and money quickly leaves and with the money leaves his freedom. He must find work. But the only work that he can find is slopping hogs. The pigs had more to eat than he did and so he returned home. The elder son receives word that his brother has returned home. He is unimpressed by his return. In fact, he is angry because his brother comes home only to be treated as a conquering hero. What he really needs is punishment and he needs to be squashed. The elder brother is so angry that he will not share in the party nor does he acknowledge that there is any blood relationship between them.

Two boys. Two ways of approaching life. One searching for freedom. The other living by the rules. One a sinner. The other righteous. One who abuses the father’s love. The other who doesn’t need it because he is secure in his own sense of goodness. Two boys with the same father. It is usually at this time that so much focus is given on the younger son returning that the common thread of the three parables is missed — rejoicing when one repents.

The sinners were with Jesus and he ate with them. The religious leaders criticized Jesus for being so open with these sinners. They refused to eat with Jesus and the sinners.

What Jesus does with this parable is first of all place himself in the place of the father. He likens his actions to that of the father and the father is God. Jesus does what God does. Jesus acts as God acts. Jesus rejoices when sinners come to him. They eat together.

Second, Jesus tells the parable in such a way that the religious leaders are now struck with a decision. Will they share in the feast or will they miss out? The choice is theirs. The feast is available to them, but their anger and their pride will keep them from enjoying God’s feast.

Third, the joy of God is heightened when sinners come to him. The parable does not leave us wondering about God’s reaction to one who has been so unfaithful and disobedient and yet wants to return. The feast of God is always ready for those who return.

Application

Did you know that God rejoices over a sinner repenting? The first parable seems to suggest that all of heaven rejoices over a sinner repenting but verse 10 leaves little doubt about who is rejoicing. There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Who are the angels watching? Then the third parable clears up any misunderstanding.

It is the father who runs to the son. It is the father who cuts the son’s speech off. It is the father who is filled with compassion. It is the father who throws his arms around his son and kisses him. It is the father who initiates the celebration. It is the father who rejoices and invites others to join in that celebration. It is the father who pleads with the angry brother to join in the celebration. It is the father who reassures the older brother that his status is secure. It is the father who tries to explain that celebrating is legitimate.

Is there any doubt about who the father is? God is the one who rejoices. He is the one who initiates. He is the one who reaches out to us. But too often we are like the older brother. We believe that God’s grace is too permissive. We think that sinners should get what they deserve. And we become angry when someone repents. We become angry when God’s grace is extended to someone that we think is undeserving. But like the elder brother we cut ourselves off from the celebration of God when we fail to rejoice over a sinner’s return. Notice the arguments of the older brother. He holds up his obedience and his righteousness as signs of his deserving God’s favor. Pride in his own goodness kept him from enjoying what God had available for him. The celebration was for the younger brother who had returned. But the older brother could have enjoyed the banquet as well if he had just entered into the celebration.

The point of the parable must not be missed. God’s grace is extended to all. The sinner who returns enjoys his grace. The one who is stalwart in obedience also enjoys his grace. The banquet is available to the obedient as well but the obedient must be willing to admit that God’s grace is sufficient to enjoy the banquet. Sinner and obedient one both need God’s grace. God waits to celebrate your return.

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