Life of ChristA Study of the Four Gospels

By Pastor Edward F. MarkquartGrace Lutheran Church

Des Moines, Washington, USA

Icon of Christ courtesy of w

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onasteryIcons.com

Life of ChristA Study of the Four Gospels

ByPastor Edward F. Markquart

Grace Lutheran ChurchDes Moines, Washington, USA

Session 33 | Theme: Uniquely Luke (4) Journey to Jerusalem (Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, the Lost Son)

• Prayer • Questions from last week’s session • Finish sections of the lesson not completed last week

Luke’s “travel narrative” • InthissectionofourstudyofthelifeofChrist,wearecloselyexaminingthosestorieswhicharepartofLuke’s

“travelnarrative.’

• AllthestoriesthatwearestudyingareuniquetoLuke.

• WearenotcloselyexaminingJesus’teachingsondiscipleshipthatareinQandareinthissection.Wehavepreviously studied these teachings in Matthew 5-7 and Matthew 10-12.

• Inthissectionofthecourse(Luke10-18),wearestudyingdifferentclustersofthemes:

º Prayer ºMoney(lastweek) ºLost/found(repentance,restoration) ºHumility(nextweek)

Today, we will study four parables that have the same theme: repentance and restoration.

•#207RepentanceandDestruction(ParableoftheBarrenFigTree)

•#219ParableoftheLostSheep

•#220ParableoftheLostCoin

•#221ParableoftheLost(Prodigal)Son

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#207. Repentance and Destruction (Parable of the Barren Fig Tree) Luke 13:1-9

WewillstudyLuke13:1-5here,butwewillalsostudytheparableofthefigtreelaterintheJesusStorywhen•JesusgetstoJerusalem.

InLuke’sgospel,weareremindedthatJesusofteninvitesustorepent,turnourlivearound,getridofoldbad•habitsandproducethegenuinefruitsofrepentance.

Werememberthat“repentance”wasanimportantwordforJesus.Examplesare:•

Mark1:15,Jesusopenedhisministrywith“Thetimeisfulfilled/ripe.ThekingdomofGodisathand.•Repentandbelieveinthegospel.”

Luke5:32,“Ihavenotcometocalltherighteousbutsinnersto• repentance.”

Luke15:7“Therewillbemorejoyinheavenoveronesinnerwho• repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.”

Luke24:46-47whichsummarizesJesus’wholelifeandthemessageoftheChristianfaith,“Thusitis•writtenthattheChristshouldsufferandonthethirddayrisefromthedeadandthatrepentance and forgivenessofsinsshouldbepreachedinhisnametoallnations.”

Thereisaneternaloscillationbetweenthetwopolesoftheearth,thenorthpoleandthesouthpole.•

Similarlyinlife,thereisaneternaloscillationinourlivesbetweendeathandresurrection,GoodFridayand•Easter,repentanceandforgiveness,selfishnessandselflessness.

Thisoscillationbetweenrepentanceandforgivenessneverendsduringourlifetime.•

Ananalogyaboutthe• necessity of repenting and cleaning up the sin in our lives. One Sunday in Advent, there wasaChristmastreeinoursanctuary.TheChristmastreewasbeautifulbutthelightswouldnotcomeon.Why?I showed the children the electric plug. I had put tape on the plug so that the plug to the Christmas lights couldnotbeconnectedwithelectricpower.IaskedthechildrenwhatIshoulddo?Thechildrenallshouted,“Takeoffthetape.”Idid,andassoonasIscrappedoffthetapeandthecrud,thepowercouldflowfromthelightsourceintothelightsontheChristmastree.Thetreeglowedwithitslights.Similarly,someofusChristiansdonothavethepowerofChristandthelightofChristinourlivesbecauseourcontactwithGodneedstobecleansed.Thatisrepentance.ThatiswhatJohntheBaptistwasallabout.ThisiswhatJesusmeantwhenhesaidatthefootwashingonHolyThursdayintheBookofJohn:“Tobemydisciple,youmustbeclean.”

Repentanceiscleaningawaythesinwhichisdeepwithinus,sothatwecanmakecontactwiththepowerof•Godwhichthenflowsintousandlightensupourlives.

ItiswiththeseperceptionsaboutrepentancethatweapproachthefollowingparableinLuke13andthethree•parablesinLuke15aboutthelostsheep,lostcoin,andlostson.

-There were some present at that very time who told him/Jesus of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Inotherwords,PilateexecutedsomeGalileansandthenmixedtheGalileanhumanbloodwithanimalbloodoftheirsacrifices.Pilatecomesoffasbrutallycruel.

ThisisthefirsttimeinthegospelsthatwemeetPontiusPilateandwewillstudyhimmorethoroughlyduringthetrialsofJesus.

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WeknowagreatdealofhistoricalinformationaboutPilate:

ThefollowingmaterialcomesfromJosephus,thehistorian,andPhilo,theJewishtheologian,bothwritingat this time.

•WeknowthatPilatewasthegovernorofJerusalemandJudea.

•WeknowthatPontiusPilatewasgovernorfortenyearsfromtheyear26-36CE.

•WeknowthatPilateexperiencedthirty-tworiotsinthosetenyears.

•WeknowthattheJewshatedtheRomans,hatedtheRomantaxes,andhatedtheRomaninsensitivitiestotheir religion.

•WeknowthatPilatewantedmoneytobetakenfromthetempletreasuryinordertobuildapipelinetobringwaterintothecityofJerusalem.

•WeknowthatPilatestoleorborrowedthemoneyfromthetempletreasurytobuildhisaqueduct.

•WeknowthatPilate’stakingmoneyfromthetempletreasuryprecipitatedsomeoftheriots.

•WeknowthatPilateorderedhissoldierstodressupasplain-clothesmen,secretlytoarmthemselvesandminglewiththeriotingmobs.Asthesignalwasgiven,theseRomansoldiers,dressedascivilians,bludgeonedtheJewswiththeirweapons,clubbingandstabbingtheJewstodeath.

•WeknowtheneighboringgovernorsstartedsendingletterstoEmperorTiberiusinRomecomplainingaboutPilate’sbrutalityinhandlingtheriots.

•Weknowthatshortlythereafter,Pilatewasremovedfromofficebecauseofhisbrutalhandlingoftheriots.

•WeknowthatonPilate’stripbacktoRome,EmperorTiberiusdied,andwedon’teverknowwhathappened to Pilate.

•WeknowthatPilatedisappearedintothepagesofhistory,onlytohavehisnamerepeatedeverySundayinourcreed,“crucifiedunderPontiusPilate.”Maybeourcreedshouldhavesaid,“Jesuswascrucifiedunder the riots ofPontiusPilate.”

-Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered like this? I tell you no. Jesusaskedthecrowdaprofoundquestion:“DoyouthinkthesinsofthoseGalileanscausedtheirsuffering?”Amongmanypeople,itwasfalselyassumedthatsufferingwastheconsequenceofsinfulactions.ThatwouldmeanthattheexecutedGalileanswerekilledbecausetheywereworsesinnersthantheotherGalileanswhowerenotkilled.Jesusdisagreedwiththislineofreasoning.

Jesusdidnotembraceasimplistic,onetoonecorrelation,thatsincausesallsuffering.

-But unless you repent, you will likewise perish. Jesususedtheoccasionofsufferingasacalltorepentanceandtheamendmentoflife.Therewasstilltimeforpeopletorepentandchangetheirlivesforthebetter.Therewasstilltimetogetridofthosebad,unhealthyhabitsandattitudesandenterthekingdomofGodandbecomeanewperson.

-Or the eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them. Do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? Jesusreferredtoaserioustragedythatwaspartofthepublicnewsofthetime.Siloamwasa“suburb”ofJerusalem,southofthecity,andnewsmusthavetraveledfastandfar.Jesussaidtotheeffect:“Theseeighteenpeopledidnotdieinatragedybecausetheyweregreatersinnersthanothersintown.Rather,thistragicincidentisacallforeachoneofyoutorepent,toexamineyourownlivesandmakethenecessarychangesthatgowithbeingmydisciple.”Thenews-makingtragedywasaninvitationforself-examinationandchangeandtobegintoproducethefruitsofrepentance.

Oftentragediesthatoccuraroundusmayspeaktousinsuchawaythatwebegintochangesomeundesirabledefectsofourcharacter.Forexample,amanmaybeundertheinfluenceofalcohol,hasacaraccident,killssomeoneandthattragedymaybecomea“wakeupcall”forhimtochangehisdrinkinghabits.Theperson“wakesus”tohis/herdrinkingpatternsandfinallyrealizesthatchangesneedtobemade.

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Later,intheparableoftheProdigalSon,wewillhearaboutthewaywardson“comingtohissenses”or“wakingup”abouthisconditionandfoolishchoices.

-Unless you repent, you will likewise perish. Theword,“perish,”isreferringtotheEndofTime,theFinalJudgment,TheDaythatdeterminesourfinaldestiny.

Jesus’teachingsareclearbutnotpopularintoday’ssocietywhentheSpiritofJesusstillteachesthatpeoplewho do not repent will die eternally.

InthepreviouslessonabouttheparableabouttheRichManandLazarus,theRichManfailedtorepentanddiedeternally.Inthatstory,yougetthefeelingthatthefivebrothersoftheRichManmaynotrepenteitherandthattheytoowilldieeternallywiththeirbrother,Dives.

-And he/Jesus told this parable. Jesusthentoldaparablethatisfamiliartomanyofus.Itistheparableofthebarrenfigtree.

NoticethisparableisfoundintheparallelsofMatthew21andMark11whichJesustoldduringhisfinalweekinJerusalem.InMatthewandMark,theparableofthefigtreeisaparableofjudgment:“Maynofruitcomefromyoueveragain.Andthefigtreewitheredatonce.”

HereintheGospelofLuke,thisparableisaninvitationtorepent,amendone’slifeandproducethefruitofgenuinerepentance.ThatiswhattheRichManshouldhavedoneinthepreviousparable.ThisiswhattheRichMan’sfivebrothersneedtodo.

Let it/the fig tree alone this year also until I dig about it and put on manure. And if it bears fruit next year well and good; but if it does not, you can cut it down. Lukeconstructstheparableofthefigtreewithanelementofhope.Thereisstilltimeforthefigtreetobearfruit.Thereisstilltimeforyourlifetobearfruit.Thereisstilltimetodigaroundthefigtree(yourlife,mylife)andloosenupthegroundandthenputmanureontheground.“Ifitbearsfruitnextyear,wellandgood.Butifitdoesnot,youcancutitdown.”InLuke’sversionoftheparableofthefigtree,thereisstilltimeforustochange.InLuke’sversionoftheparableofthefigtree,thereisstilltimeforthefivebrothershereonearthtorepentandproducethefruitofrighteousness(andtakecareofLazarus’srelatives)hereonearth.

ThetwintragediesoftheexecutionoftheGalileansandtheeighteenkilledbyafallingtoweraretwooccasionsforustothinkaboutoureternaldestiny.

Thetwintragediesareaninvitationforustomakechangesinourlivessothatwearebetterpreparedforour eternal destiny.

Paintings of a fig tree that needs pruningTheFigtree,CasparLuiken

TheGardenerandtheFigTree,JamesTissot

“Like a tree, it is best for me to be pruned of a lot of dead branches so Ican be ready to bear good fruit. I can think of changed people as trees which have been stripped of their old branches, pruned, cut and bare. But through the dark, seemingly dead branches flows silently, secretly, the new sap, until with the sun of spring, comes new life. There are new leaves, buds, blossoms and fruit, many times better because of the pruning. I am in the hands of God, a master gardener, who makes no mistakes in pruning.”

Discussion Question: Giveanexamplefromyourownlifewhereittooktimeforyoutobecomeawareofyourownshortcomingsandthentheneededhealthychangesslowlyoccurredinyou?

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#219. The Parable of the Lost Sheep (p. 194) Luke 15:1-7ManyBiblicalscholarsthinkthatLuke15(lostsheep,lostcoin,lostson)isthehighpointofthetravel•narrative and the entire gospels.

Ithasbeencalled“TheHeartoftheThirdGospel.”(ArthurJust,LUKE,v.2,p.586).•

Thethreeparablesofthelostsheep,thelostcoin,andthelostsonareinvitationsforustohearofGod’sgreat•joywhenwefinallycometooursenses,repent,andlivelivesthatarepleasingtoGod.

WhenwecometooursensesandcomebackhometoourHeavenlyFather,webegintofindlife.•

WewillstudyLuke’sversionofthisparable.•

-Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. Wenoticethatthetaxcollectorsandsinnerswere“drawingneartoJesusinordertohearhim.”Similarly,wearetodrawneartoJesusinordertohearhim.WerememberthatMary,intheMary-Marthastory,alsodrewneartoJesus,satathisfeet,andlistenedto him.

-And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured/grumbled saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Thissentenceunlocksthemeaningoftheparable.Jesusportraystwogroupsofpeoplewhowereinconflict:thetaxcollectors/othersinnersversesthePharisees/scribes.WehaveseenthisconflictseveraltimesduringinthelifeofJesus.ThePhariseesalsogrumbledwhenJesusatewithLevi,thetaxcollector(Luke5:30)andalsowhenJesusstayedatthehomeofZacchaeus,thechieftaxcollector(Luke19:7).

- So he told them this parable. Aswehavesaidrepeatedly,Jesus’parablesareoftenclassicstoriesthatareimmortalizedinourmemories.ThisisanotheroneofJesus’greatstories,storiesthathecreatedoutofeveryday,familiarexperiences.JesusdidnotcreatehisshorthomeystorieswithprofoundmeaningsbyquotingtheOldTestamentnorbyquotingfamousphilosophers.JesustaughtthetruthaboutGodandthekingdomofGodbyusingfamiliar,common,everydayexperiencessuchaslosingasheepfromtheherdorlosingacoininahouse.

Intoday’sworld,JesusmayhaveusedtheuniversalAmericanexperienceoflosingourcarkeys(whicharestillintheignition)ormisplacingourglasses(whichareonthecounterunderthenewspaper).Wesearchintensely,almostfrantically,untilourcarkeysorglassesarefound.Jesususedsimilarexamplesfromhiseverydaylife.

-What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness/desert and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? Thatwascommonsenseforashepherd:asheepgetslostandtheshepherdgoestofindtheonesheepthathaswanderedaway.Normally,therewouldbeseveralshepherdscaringforaflockofsheep.Oneshepherdwouldgoouttosearchforthelostsheep,whiletheothershepherdswouldwatchtheremainingflock.ThispassagehasalwaysbeenaninvitationfortheChurchtogosearchingforthatpersonwhohasbecomelostfromthefaith.

Paintings of Jesus searching for and finding the lost sheepTheParableoflostsheep,AlfordUsherSoord

FindingtheLostSheep,JamesTissot

(Clickonthepaintingtoenlarge)

-And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. Many of us have images in our minds ofapaintingwithalambonJesus’shoulder.Inthatpainting,Jesushasfoundthelostlamb,hasasmileonhisface,andisreturningtotherestoftheflock.ThispopularimageofJesuswhohasasheeponhisshoulderstracesitsrootstothisBibleverse.

ThisistheonlyverseintheBiblewherewefindasheeponJesus’shoulders.

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Wefindthreereferencestotheword,“joy,”inthisshortparable,andtwomorereferencestojoyinthenextparable.

ThereisgreatjoyintheheartofGodwhenanyonewhoislostisfound.

WerememberthatJesusisdeclaredtobetheGoodShepherdintheGospelofJohn(10:1-18,page213.)TheGoodShepherdlaysdownhislifeforhissheep,knowsthesheepandthesheepknowhim.

TakeamomentandcloselyexaminethefollowingpaintingsthatportrayJesuswithasheeponhisshoulders and in his arms.

Paintings of Jesus the Good ShepherdTheGoodShepherd

TheLostSheep,WilliamWebb

TheLordismyshepherd,MorganWeistling

(Enlarge)

Whichofthesepaintingsspeaksmostdeeplytoyouandwhy?

-When he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them: Thenaturalreactionistosharethegoodnewsoffindingalostsheepwithyourfriends,familyandneighbors.We,whoexperiencegoodnews,wanttosharethegoodnewwithourclosestfamilyandfriendssotheycancelebratewithuse.g.thebirthofababy,thefindingofanewjob,orthepurchaseofanewhome.Thereissomethingaboutgoodnewsthatitneedstobesharedwithourclosestfriendsandfamily.

-Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. Circletheword,“rejoice,”andthisisthesecondtimethiswordisusedinthestory.PeopleinJesus’crowdwouldhaveknowntheexperienceofashepherdfindingalostsheep,andhowmuchjoythatbroughttoeveryone.Whenthelostsheepisfound,thereisgreatjoy.

-Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Whoops!Hereisanewdirection.Hereisanunexpectedtwistofthestory.Hereisthecruxoftheproblem:thePhariseesandscribesdidnotknowthattheythemselveswerelost.

EventhoughtheywereinsynagogueeveryFridaynight;eventhoughtheytithedandwerefinanciallygenerous to their synagogue; even though they followed the devotional rituals of their religion; the Pharisees were still lost.

ThePhariseeswerethehypocrites,the“whitewashedtombs,”wholookedgoodontheoutsidebutinsidetheirhearts,theywerefilledwithjealousyandloveofmoney.

ThePhariseescouldfoolpeoplearoundthem,buttheycouldnotfoolJesusorGod.

JesususesthisparableasanotherinvitationforthePharisees(whoaresymbolicofselfrighteouspeople)torepentandchangetheir(our)ways.

The“lost’inthisparablearenotthoseoutsidethesynagoguebutthoseinsidethesynagogue.

The“lost”arenotthe“outsiders”butthe“insiders.”

Theparabledoesnotfocusonapersonwhowanderedawayfromthechurchandisconsidereda“lostsoul.”Rather,“thelost”focusesonaselfrighteouspersonwhoisstillwithinthereligiouscommunitybutwhodoesn’tknowthathe/sheislost.

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Whenareligiouslyselfrighteouspersonrepents,thereisgreatjoyinheaven.

ManydenominationsconvertthisparableintoanevangelismstorythatJesusfindsthe“lost”whoareoutsidethechurch.Thatis,thechurchistofindthe“lostsouls”outsidethechurchwhodonotknowJesusChrist.

Butthethrustofthisparableisdirectedtothe“insiders”inthesynagogueandchurch.ItisdirectedtothosepeoplewhodonotseetheirownsinfulnessandtheirownneedtobecleansedbythepowersofGod.

Thepeople“inside”thesynagogueorchurchneedtoberepent,becleansedofthecrudintheirlives,sotheycan“makecontact”withthepowerandlightofGodandJesus.

Discussion Question: Whyisitofteninthechurchthatwethinkof“thelost”asreferringtosomeoneoutsidethechurchratherthanwithin?

#220. The Parable of the Lost Coin Luke 15:8-10

-Or what woman, having ten silver coins/drachma; if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search diligently until she finds it. Theword,“or,”connectsthisparabletothepreviousparable.Thetwoparablesareonthesametheme.

Thisistheonlytimewheretheword,“drachma,”occursintheNewTestament.Itsvaluewasequivalenttoadenariusthatwasworthaday’swage.Seethefootnoteonpage195aboutadrachma.

Ifyoufoundmoneythatwasworthadayofyourwages,youwouldbemightyhappy.

Thewomansweepsthehouseandsearchesdiligentlyuntilshefindsit.Inthisway,thewomanofthehouseisequivalenttothegoodshepherdinthepreviousparablewhosearchesforthelostsheep.

Thereisafocuseddiligenceasboththewomanhouseholderandthegoodshepherdsearchforwhatisprecious to them and lost.

-When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together saying: A person always wants to share goodnewswithyourfriendsandneighbors.That’sthewayitis.

-Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I lost. Thewomanisjoyfulinherheartthatshehasfoundwhatwaslost.Soitiswithanymanorwomanwhohaslosttheircarkeys,theirbillfoldorpurse,theirtoolinthetoolshed,etc.Thisisauniversalexperienceforallofus.ThisiswhatmakestheparablesofJesussogreat:theyexpressauniversalexperienceforallpeopleregardlessofcenturyorculture.SoitiswithGodwhensomeonewhohaslosttheirsensesaboutGodisfound.

-Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. JesusistellingushowhappyandjoyfulGodiswhenwefinallyarefound;whenwefinallycometooursensesandreturntoGodandhis ways.

Again,thecontextunlocksthemeaningoftheparable.ThisparablewasaddressedtothePhariseeswhodidnotthinkthattheywerelostbutactually,theywere.

Thekeywordinbothparablesis“repent.”

Weknowthattheseparablesareaninvitationtorepent.

WeknowthatweneedtounderstandwhatJesusmeantbyusrepentingandreturningtoGod.

Wewanttoknowwhatitmeanstorepentandthenextparablewillanswerthequestion.

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Paintings of the parable of the lost coinTheParableoftheLostDrachma,DomenicoFeti

TheLostDrachma,JamesTissot

#221. The Parable of the Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-32

Read this parable in class.

Thisparableisoneofthefinestshortstoriesinexistence.•

Thepersonwhoauthoredthisstorymusthavebeenaliteraryandoralgenius.•

Itistimetostopyourlife,pause,andsoakinthesceneryofthisgrandstoryabouttheProdigalSon.Pauseat•thisparableandstayawhile.ItisasifyouaretakingatriptothemostbeautifulplacesintheUnitedStatesandyourcarstopsonthehighwaythathasapanoramicviewoftheTetonMountainRange.Youdon’twanttodrivepastthatpanoramicviewbutstop,turnoffyourcar,andstayawhile.ThatisthewayitiswiththisparableoftheProdigalSon.

TheparableoftheProdigalSonmaybethefinestshortstoryinallofliteraturejustasthePietaby•Michelangelomaybethefinestsculptureinallofhistory.

ManypeoplefeelthattheparableoftheprodigalsonisthepricelesspearlofJesus’parables.Itishisfinest•parable.ItisthemostvaluablestoryJesusevercreated.CharlesDickens,thegreatEnglishauthor,hascalledit“thegreateststoryevertold.”Somesayitisthefinestshortstoryinliterature.Anotherpoet,RobertBridges,hasjudgeditasa“flawlesspieceofart.”Smallwonderthatthroughthecenturies,thisstoryhasinspiredthepenofRembrandt,themusicofDeBussey,andthepoetryofJohnMasefield.

GeorgeButtrick,oneofthegreatestpreachersofrecentpast,saidthatthestoryoftheprodigalsoncaptures•“theessenceoftheChristianfaith.”

Thisstorysumsthecentralmessageofthe• wholeNewTestament.

It is the gospel in a nutshell. •

Ifyoutrulyunderstandthisstory…ofthefather,theprodigal,andtheolderbrother,youwillbegintograsp•thecentralthrustofJesusandthemainemphasisoftheNewTestament.

Itisimportantforustounderstandthecontextorsettingbecausethecontextorsettingunlocksthemeaning•oftheparable.Itisn’tveryoftenthatthekeyisinthecontext,butthekeythatunlocksthisparableisitssetting.

TheparablereallybeginsinLuke15:1:“Jesuswaseatingwithagroupofpublicansandsinners.Whenthe•Phariseessawit,theywereveryupsetandsaid,‘Jesus,whyareyoueatingwiththiskindofpeople?Theyaren’treligiousenoughforyou.’”

-Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. IntheparablesofJesus,itseemsthatweoftenhavetwosons.Thetwosonsaresymbolicoftwoalternativewaysoflife.Thetwosonsaresymbolicofthe“either-or”inlife,aforkintheroad,achoicebetween“thisroad”and“thatroad,”between“thiswayoflife”and“thatwayoflife.”

-The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. Wehavereadanincidentearlier(Luke12:13-15)aboutJesusbeingdrawnintoafamilydisputewhentheyoungersonwantedhisshareofthe

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inheritanceandJesuswarnedthatyoungmanaboutcovetousnessandthentoldaparableabouttherichfoolandbiggerbarns.ThatincidentwasahistoricalincidentthatbecameateachingmomentforJesus.

WerecallfromtheteachingsinthepreviouslessonfromLuke12thattheoldersonreceivedtwothirds of the inheritance and the younger son received one third.

Theyoungersonsaid,“Givemetheshareofthepropertythatwillbelongtome.”Weassumethatthiswouldhavebeenthepropertythathewouldhaveinheriteduponthedeathofhisfather.

-A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living.ThissontookhisinheritanceandwentdowntothefirstcenturyequivalentofSanFranciscoandhehadaweeofatime.Hehadsomanyfriends.Ofcourse,hepretendedthatthismoneywashisownhardearnedmoneyandnotaninheritancefromhisfather.Hehadagreattime,butfinallythemoneyranout.Thefriendsranout.Thegoodtimesranout,andheendedupintheguttersofSanFrancisco.

-When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. Yes,thatisthewayitiswithlife.Desperatetimessuddenlyoccur,whenweleastexpectthem.Ahurricane.Adepression.Arecession.Wedidn’tseethefinancialdisastercomingandthe“nestegg”isgone.

-So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. InBiblicalsays,thisisthelowestaJewishpersoncouldeverfall:toeatwithpigsthatareunkosheranimals.

Inamodernworld,suddenlyrecessionsanddepressionshit,andpeopleneedtofindworkofanykindinordertomakesomemoney.Peoplecan’tfindjobsandhitthefoodbanks,lookingforhandouts.

-But when he came to himself,ThisphraseisoneofthekeystoJesus’story.Thisphraseisoneofthekeystothestoryofourlivesaswell.“Tocometoyourself ”or“tocometoyoursenses”iswhatrepentancemeans.

Finally,wehumanbeingscometooursenses.Wefinallywakeuptowhatwehavebeendoingwrong.Wefinallybecomeself-awaretowhatwehavedonetohelpcreatethemesswearein.Wefinallywakeupandthenreturn to our heavenly Father, our heavenly family and the heavenly ways of loving each other.

ToreturnhometoGodandhislove.

ToreturnhometolovingrelationshipswithalovingFather.

Toreturnhometolovingpeopleandlovingfriends.

Thatiswhatthisstoryisallabout.

ItisaboutwhenwetakeourGodgiveninheritanceanduseitinsuchawaythatwelivewithoutGod.

Thisstoryisnottobenarrowlyinterpretedsothattheprodigalsonbecomesaddictedtoalcoholordrugsandendsupinjail.

Themeaningofthisstoryismuchbroaderthanthat.

ItisabouttakingourGodgiveninheritanceandleavingGodandforgettingGod,andthenwefinallycometooursensesandreturntoourheavenlyfather.”

-he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!

-I will get up and go to my father, Thislineishuge.Thereisthatmomentinlifewherewecometo an inner conclusion that we need to return home to a relationship with a loving eternal Father who knewusbeforewewereborn.Wesensethatthingsaremessedupinourlives,thatthingshavenotgoneaccordingtoourplans,thatweare“outofwack.”Inourhearts,weslowlycometorealizethat“ItistimetoreturnhometoGod.”

-and I will say to him,

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-”Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ‘ Themostimportantwordinthatsentenceistheword,“Father.”ThiswasandstillisJesus’primaryteachingaboutGod.ThatGodisnotsomedistantdeityorsomefigmentofimaginationfromourwishfulthinking.Not,notatall.TheLordGodis“ourFather,”“MyFather,”whoknowsandlovesusfromthetimebeforewewereborn.

WhenwecomebacktoourheavenlyFather,wetellhimhowwehavemessedupourlife.ThatwehavebecomesobusyspendingourinheritancefromGodthatweforgotGod.Thatwejumpedonatreadmillcalledlifeandhavebeenmightybusyeverysince,runningsofastandforgettingtostop,pause,pray, and sit at the feet and listen to the voice of God, our Father.

TheselinesintheparableremindusthatweagainbegintalkingwithGod.ThesewordsareareminderthatthereisatimeandplaceforconfessiontoGodofthefoolishnessofthewaywehavebeenliving.

-So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. As he approached his home, his father hadbeenwatchingforhimeverynightonthefence,lookingdownthecountryroad.Fromadistance,thefathersawhisson’swalk,hisson’sgait,therefarinthedistance.Thefatherrantohimandthrewhisarmsaroundhimandputaringonhisfingerandacoatonhisbackandshoesonhisfeetandkilledthefattedcalfandhadabigpartyforhim.Thefatherwassohappythathissonwhohadbeenlostfinallycamehome.

-Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Again,thekeywordinthatsentenceistheword,“Father.”JesustaughtlikenootherhumanbeingonEarthhadevertaughtwhenJesustaughtusthattheLordGodwasour Father.

Jesus,inthismoment,taughtusaboutthepowerofpersonalandverbalconfessiontoGodofourmistakes,foolishchoicesandimprudentlifestyles.

-But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’

-And they began to celebrate.

-”Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. Meanwhile,outside,wastheolderbrother,andwhenhecamehomeandheardallthisnoise,hesaidtoaservant,‘Whatisallthenoise?What’sthepartyabout?’Theservantsaid,‘Well,yourbrotherhascomebackhome.Wethoughtthathewasdeadbutheisalive.’Theolderbrothersaid,‘I’mnotcomingintothehousetoseethatgoodfornothing.’Theolderbrotherstoodoutthereontheporch,poutingawaywithastiffupperlip.Thefather came out to the porch and said, ‘Son, I love you. Everything I have is yours. Come in and see your brother for your brotherwhoisdeadisnowalive.Hewaslostbutisnowfound.’

-He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on.

-He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’

-Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him.

-But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.

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From a sermon: Theolderbrotherrepresentsthosekindsofpeoplewhofeelthatmyfaultsarebetterthanyour

faults.Mysinsarebetterthanyoursins.Mydirtiscleanerthanyourdirt.Therefore,Godmustbealittlebitmorepleasedwithmethanheiswithyou,youwhodon’tloveGodsomuch.…Thisbrotherrepresentsthe“unattractivegoodness”ofsomanypeoplewhohaveagoodchurchgoing,worshipping,Biblestudying,prayingChristianity.Theygotochurch,loveJesus,readtheBible,andfeelthattheyarealittlelesssinfulthanpeoplewholiveoutsidethechurch.Theyfeelthatthoseofuswhoareheretodayarealittlemorerighteousandwellbehavedandwellmanneredthanthosewhoareoutsidethechurch.Ourdirtisalittlebitcleanerthan“their”dirt.Thisstoryoftheolderbrotherrepresentstheunattractivegoodnessofsomanyself-righteousChristianswhoareblindtotheirownfaults.…Ilikethatphrase,“Lord,makethebadpeoplegood,andthegoodpeoplealittlemorelikeableandpleasant.”…Itremindsmeofapoem,“Wearethechoiceselectedfewandalltherestaredamned.Thereisroomenoughinhellforyou,wecan’thaveheavencrammed.”Thereisroomenoughinhellforyou,wecan’thaveheavencrammed.Thepoemrevealsanattitudeofsmug,religious,selfrighteousness,thatyouwillbejudgedbyGodandIwon’tbe.

Isometimeswonderwhichofthetwobrotherswasmorebitterinside.Theyoungerbrotherinthegutterofthefarcountryortheolderbrotherwhohadstayedhomeandhisheartbecamehard.Hardtowardsotherpeople.Fault-findingofotherpeople.Whohadasourheartandanacidtongue.Hisheartjudgedotherpeopleandhewaslovelessinside.Oyes,hemayhavelovedhiswife,children,grandchildrenandfriends,butanyoneoutsideofhiscircle,hesecretlydisdained.Youwonderwhichofthetwowasmoremiserable.Theoneinthefarcountryinthegutterortheonewhohadstayedhomeandwhosehearthadbecomesourandlovelesstopeopleoutsidehiscircle.

Ioftenwonder,whatwouldhavehappenedifthatyoungerbrotherwouldhavebeencominghome,comingclosertothefather’shouse.Whatwouldhavehappenedifhehadnotmetthefatherfirstbuttheolderbrother?Whatdoyouthinkwouldhavehappenedtotheyoungerifhehadbeenfirstmetbyhisolderbrother?Doyouthinkhewouldhavemadeitintothefather’shouse?Idon’tthinkso.

ItcouldbethatsomeofourbrothersandsistersinlifearekeptfromChristiancongregationsbytheveryfearofencounteringso-calledgoodchurchpeople.Suchpeoplemaynotreturntothechurchbecausetheyfeartheywillencounterjudgmentalheartsandfaultfindingattitudes.Thediseaseof“faultfindingitis”wasfoundintheelderbrotherandIamsuspiciousthatitisoftenfoundinthechurchtoday.Findingfaultsmaykeepunchurchedpeopleaway.Whenthosewhohavebeenawayfromthechurchforawhilecomeback,youhopethattheseunchurchedpeoplemaymeetChristianswhoseheartsarefilledwithgrace.Howunfortunateiftheyranintosomeonewithajudgingheart.

So,basically,wehavetwobrothers.Wehaveonebrotherwhoistheprodigalofthefleshandtheotherisaprodigalofthespirit.Bothareloved.BothareloveddeeplybyGod,thefather.

-But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’

-Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

-But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ “ ThereismorejoyinheavenoveronesinnerwhocomestohissensesandreturnstoGodandGod’sways,thanoverselfrighteouspeoplewhoseheartsarestillhardtowards God and others in need.

ThePhariseeswhoweresymbolicoftheolderbrotherwhoerroneouslythoughthewasmorallyandspirituallysuperiorincomparisonwiththeyoungerbrother.

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Basically,wehaveonebrotherwhowasaprodigalofthefleshandtheotherbrotherwasaprodigal of the spirit.

BothwereloveddeeplybytheirFather.

A sermon about The Prodigal Son: http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_c_the_prodigal_son.htm

Paintings of the progression of the story of the Prodigal Son Leaving his home with his inheritance

TheDeparture,JamesTissot

In the far country

TheProdigalson,JanSandersvanHemessen

At “the bottom” with the pigs and “coming to his senses”

TheProdigalSon,JohnMacallanSwan

TheProdigal,AugusteRodin

Returning home to his father

ForgivingFather,FrankWesley

Prodigal Son, Father Welcomes the Son,

TheReturnoftheprodigalson,HarmenszoonvanRijnRembrandt

Detail,ProdigalSonandFather,Rembrandt

TheProdigalSonintheArmsofHisFather,GustaveDore

New robe, new ring, new sandals

ReturnoftheProdigal,Guercino

Whichofthesepaintingsspeaksmostdeeplytoyouandwhy?

Therewereveryfewpaintingsofthescenewiththe“olderbrother.”Thosefewpaintingswerenotveryengaging.

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Discussion Question: WhatdothinkarethemostimportanttruthsthatJesuswasteachingthroughtheparableoftheprodigalson?

• Closing Prayers

Assigned Readings for Session 34: Uniquely Luke (5) Journey to Jerusalem

Day1#222-225UnjustSteward,FaithfulnessWithLeast,TwoMasters,Pharisees

Day2#226-227ConcerningtheLaw,ConcerningDivorce(OnlyLuke)

Day3#228TheParableoftheRichManandLazarus

Day4#229-231WarningAgainstOffenses,OnForgiveness,OnFaith(OnlyLuke)

Day5#232-233WeareUnprofitableServants,CleansingoftheTenLepers

Day6#234-235ComingofKingdomofGod,DayoftheSonofMan(OnlyLuke)

Day7#236-237TheParableoftheUnjustJudge,ThePhariseeandthePublican

© 2010 Edward F. Markquart Scripture Studies from Seattle

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