THIS MAN RECEIVES SINNERS

 

Friday, December 15, 2023

 

THIS MAN RECEIVES SINNERS

 

Luke 15:1-5

15 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

 

          All the parables of “lost precious things” were spoken against the Pharisees and scribes. We often miss that because we become engrossed in the stories, but these are more than stories, they are parables. They teach spiritual or moral truth.

 

          The key to understanding might be in verse four when Jesus says that He leaves the ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness. Now, why would the shepherd do that? Jesus was speaking of the Pharisees who had herded themselves into a tight and exclusive knot by their rules and rituals. The lost sheep had wandered away and had been excluded.

 

          Further into the chapter, we see Jesus’ estimate of the value of the individual. The Pharisees travelled in groups of self-affirming companions. They had a habit of devaluing others and inflating their own worth. The lost coin was worth, according to Albert Barnes, about fifteen cents but it was a great treasure to the woman who had lost it.

 

          The two sons were Jews and Gentiles. The Pharisees may or may not have seen themselves as the elder son, but it takes little thought for us to see it. Fastidious in keeping commandments, the elder son had neglected his relationship with the father. In the end he was angry and jealous that the younger brother had been restored. One son represented WORKS and the other represented GRACE. One son thought himself worthy while the other knew he was not.

 

Luke 15:7

7 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.

 

Father, keep reminding me that I am a Prodigal and not a Pharisee. In so many ways, I need repentance. Keep reminding me that You are eager to forgive. AMEN