In Luke 15 says Jesus tells a parable. He then goes on to tell 3 stories. Are all 3 stories part of the same parable? And what is being taught?
look how the chapter starts remembering Jesus is the teacher
“Then
drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.”
Luke 15:1
And notice the contrary folks the scoffers who had thoer trust in the law and we’re self righteous
“And the
Pharisees and scribes murmured, ( Israel's constant sin in the desert ) saying,
This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”
Luke 15:2 KJV
so you have two groups of people the ones who knew “ I’m a sinner I need to listen to the lord “ and the self righteous who thought “ this guy is hanging out with and associating with sinners let’s get him “
For the rest of this chapter the subject is to show us the truth of how God sees repentance from heaven to correct our view of it
He tells the parable of the lost sheep and a shepherd who comes to save it and then makes the point of the parable
“I say unto you, that likewise
joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7 KJV
when a sinner repents it causes the angels to rejoice before God it shows us there repentance is something Jesus came to give to us and is a. Celebration not a labor ot unreachable goal he reiterates it with the parable of a lost coin showing when we’re lost we still have value to him he is on the world searching for us right now and then again we end here in the second parable wich is a repetitive teaching about repentance
“Likewise, I say unto you,
there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Luke 15:10 KJV
and some of my very favorite passages in all of scripture another parable regarding repentance the prodigal son this is me I was the prodigal once so it touches my spirit like few others in thy Bible it’s a long parable but I want to highlight the repentance part and how the prodigal comes to it
also notice how he has no clue as to Gods position on the matter
“And when
he had spent all,( wasted his inheritance on sonful
Living ) there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
( he hits rock bottom ) And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields
to feed swine. And
he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. ( he’s at the lowest and is feeling the sorrow of repentance realizing what he’s done and where it left him )
And when
he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. ( that’s what he thought )
And
he arose, and came to his father.
( this brings tearse to me even as I write now it always has since one day long ago we see Gods view of him even though he did a lot wrong )
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.
( he still doesn’t get it )
And
the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
( the father isn’t even hearing him he’s too busy celebrating and embracing him and kissing him because all along the father was just waiting for him to start his way home )
But
the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:14-24 KJV
it’s three parables all dealing with repentance but it’s teaching us how we’re supposed to understand repentance not how we do when we hear the word “ repent “ he’s showing us salvstion
man that lost son parable it shows that God is always waiting for us to decide to repent and come home towards him and before we even make it home while we’re far from perfect he is running full speed to us to wrap his arms around us , wipe away our tears , wash us with clean water from the more we wallowed in so long , he wants to put robes of righteousness upon his children d family crest on thier fonger so everyone I sees them knows “ this is my beloved son , he has come home to me “
Godnis such an amazing father and so full of love for us but notice he didn’t go force the servants to drag his son home against his Will , he waited until the son wanted and needed to come home and then he embraced him even in his flaws after all he had done wrong
Remember why Jesus came
“
I came not
to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:32 KJV
God bless brother Jesus is always showing us how God sees things how God sees repentance and how he sees us even when we’re lost he’s just waiting for us and he will run every time to embrace his children who turn toward home