Luke Bible Study Notes Chapters 15

3/31/2012

Luke 15

-Jesus shares three parables related to being lost and found and the diligent search the Father makes for His lost ones and His compassion in receiving them back. The Lord shares this in the context of grumbling Pharisees and scribes who could not understand why the Savior would receive sinners and tax collectors.

-The first parable has to do with lost sheep. The good shepherd will leave 99 in the open pasture to find one that is lost. Rejoicing will come with the finding of the lost sheep in heaven.

-The second parable revolves around a lost coin that is diligently searched for in the house. Rejoicing is also associated with the finding of this lost coin.

-The final parable is the renowned story of the prodigal son. This young man squanders his father’s inheritance on loose living in a distant country and returns to his compassionate father who is looking for him (probably every day) to return home. The grace of the father (who repents our Heaven Father) is demonstrated by his receiving his son back with open arms, extravagant gifts, and a celebration party with all the best. For an excellent exposition on this parable see
Captured By Grace: No One is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God by David Jeremiah. The older son returned from the field indignant that so much love was being poured out on this rebellious brother. He never got the point that God’s love and mercy wins the day. This older son never gets the point that repentance is paramount.

-*Application* The Father in heaven rejoices along with His heavenly hosts when even one sinner, who is dead, begins to live with a spiritual life found in the loving, gracious, and merciful God. For this to happen, repentance is required on our part as the Good Shepherd diligently seeks us out or patiently waits for us to come to our senses and return to Him. Of course faith is also a requirement as we see in other places in Scripture (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Verse to Memorize: Luke 15:32