The Pearl of The Parables Luke 15

The Setting Grumbling (Lk. 5:27- 30; 7:34) Why? What the Pharisees and scribes would not do “So He told them this parable” The Setting

The Setting Not about: Responsible shepherding Proper housekeeping Good parenting skills The Setting

The sheep would know it was lost, but did not know its way back The coin did not know it was lost, and, of course, will not know its way back The younger son knows he is lost and knows the way back The older son does not know he is lost and that he needs to turn back

The return of the sheep, the coin, and the younger son was fervently desired and were all received with rejoicing

The Younger Son Makes a bad decision (11- 13a) Reaps what he has sown (13b-16) Makes a good decision (17-21) Comes to his senses I’m the one who is wrong The Younger Son

God gives opportunity to repent (2 Cor. 7:10; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Jn. 1:9) 

The Father A welcome, joyous reception (20, 22-24) He does not berate or beat him over the head because of his actions The Father

The Older Son Unaware of his brother’s return, but finds out He becomes angry (28) His self-serving explanation reveals his sense of superiority (cf. Luke 18:9-14) The Older Son

Note: How about those ones to whom this is addressed? What is the lesson to be learned here? It is about mercy and forgiveness God has matchless love for man (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8) He is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4) He is willing to forgive (Eph. 1:7) Micah 7:18-20