Thematic Selections from the Bible

If we take a look at the Bible context that surrounds this passage, we can see that Jesus tells the parable of the lost coin and son to the Pharisees, to explain to them why he ate with the sinners and tax collectors – outcasts of that time. The Pharisees believed that they were perfectly righteous and, because of this, despised sinners. Tax collectors worked for the Gentiles, and in their association with the Gentiles, it was as though they had ‘betrayed’ the Jews to work for the Romans. Because of this, a tax collector was believed to be no better than a sinner. The Pharisees were upset, and believed that Jesus could not be from God because God did not like sinners.

The parable of the lost coin show’s God’s attitude towards sinners – it shows His love towards sinners and tax collectors. It expresses that they are not only very valuable to Him, but that He is searching to seek out those who are lost – the very reason why Jesus was spending so much time with them to begin with. Jesus also referred to those who are already ‘righteous’ – the Pharisees. But what he really was referring to was the self righteous attitude of the Pharisees.

In the parable of the lost son, we young man who demands his father’s inheritance. It is important to understand the gravity of such a request – To do so literally meant that he wished his father were dead! Do you remember the times in your life when you wanted freedom, and wished that you weren’t restrained by your ‘controlling’ parents? This was precisely what the young man wanted. His father did as asked, and divided his possessions amongst his sons. The son then left, squandered his money on food and drink, and returned in a sorry state to beg for forgiveness.

One must feel that the father was very foolish to allow his son to squander away his money, and still welcome him with not only with good food and clothing, but a feast to go with it! Yet this is exactly what God does – He patiently lets us run into the world to experiment, diligently keeps watch for our return, and runs to us with open arms when we do! For us, He was willing to ‘lose face’ – He sent His son down not only to die for us, but to be mocked and killed by us! Such is the power of our Father’s love!

Lk 15:8-10

8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?

9 And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10 Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Lk 15:11-32

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:

19 I am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 and bring the fatted calf, kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:

24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

26 And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.

29 But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine.

32 But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive ; and lost, and is found.