There are sheep that go astray. It happens in the church. Did Jesus take a gun and shoot it when he found it? No! There is celebration and forgiveness.

1 – The lost coin

A woman loses a coin and starts spring cleaning. She puts on all the lamps and sweeps everywhere until the precious coin is found. The parable illustrates the Father heart of God and now the second parable is more true to life.

2 – The sheep goes astray

The prodigal son blows all his money and comes back repentant. God always loves us because we are His child. The younger son wanted freedom from his father. He took his inheritance money and blew it on drink and women. There is a famine and everything dries up for him. He ends up looking after pigs. As a Jew he was not supposed to even touch them.

3 – The Father’s love for his son

The prodigal son suddenly comes to his senses. The reaction of the Father is not judgmental. He doesn’t lay down any rules or look for his pound of flesh. He is not out for punishment. The Father runs out to meet him and kisses him. He must stink of pigs and sweat. The Father gives him his best robe and a ring on his finger. The ring was like today getting a credit card. It was a signet ring. God does not make us second class when we come back to him. He gives us everything we lost back again. Our inheritance is not lost. We are not to be determined by our past. They put sandals on his feet. A slave went barefoot. A free person had sandals. They brought the fattened calf. Not a vegetarian option! They had a barbecue. They brought out the best meat.

4 – The eldest son shows the heart of the natural man

The Father heart of God is in stark contrast to the natural man. The eldest son shows this wrong attitude. Our attitude should be the same of the Father and the same heart that was shown by Jesus.

Categories: Luke