This Sunday’s gospel consist of three parables. Each is most likely already quite familiar to all of us. In all three of them, Jesus shows the priority He places on the sinner and the outcast. This is a key theme of the Gospel of Luke, he is very harsh against the Pharisees and scribes. By the way, the parable of the Prodigal Son is one parable that is found ONLY in Luke, which suggests that the gospel writer really found this to be quite important to the overall message he wants his gospel to bring out.
Observation and Interpretation
First, we observe that the audience of Jesus when he told these three parables were two opposing kind of audiences: the sinner and tax collectors (which were considered the worst kind of sinner) on the one hand, and the Pharisees and scribes on the other hand (who were generally considered the pure, the clean, and the saved because they followed the cleansing laws to the letter, practicing much fasting and conforming to tithing requirements at that time). By doing so, the Pharisees were following a legalistic approach towards salvation.
It is also noteworthy to note that the criticism of the Pharisees is that Jesus “eats” with sinners. Eating with someone is a serious expression of one’s fellowship with that person, and violates the rabbinical rule: Let no man associate with the wicked, not even to bring him near to the Law. That suggests that one should not even bother trying to convert a sinful person.
In the parable of the prodigal son, it should be noted that the younger son, upon running out of money, decides to finally return to his father. But did you notice that he had a spiel ready which goes: “Father I have sinned against heaven and against you, I no longer deserve to be called your son, treat me as you would treat one of your hired servants.” While this could mean a sign of humility, in the Jewish context, it also meant that this was a face saving plan of the son since being a hired servant, he could earn a decent living, remain independent and be able to secure a future without asking favors of anybody. In this plan of his, the approach was totally legalistic, and the Pharisees knew that Jesus was trying to hint at their legalistic approach to salvation.
Did you also notice that when the son finally returned, he was ready with his spiel “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you, I no longer deserve to be called your son,” but the Father butts in and does not allow him to say the latter part of his spiel which asks that he be treated as a hired servant. For the father, the son’s intention to return, regardless of his motivations, was sufficient.
The elder son could very well be the Pharisees who were more concerned about the legal obligations of the son to the father. The Pharisees believe that the way to the Father is through following a set of laws such as tithing, fasting and other cleansing laws.
Generalization
Feeling of unworthiness has no place in a Christian’s life. The prodigal son, who had ulterior motives, was accepted back. What more those who truly wish to turn back to the Father, regardless of their past. I have often also heard some who say “I am not worthy to serve (because of their sinfulness or unworthiness).” This parable ought to convince us that this is no valid reason. A sincere desire to convert and transform is enough. Making up for your sins is not a requirement before the Father embraces you. You may even be criticized as a Pharisee or elder son. Just come back. This is not to disparage good works, for indeed they are pleasing to God and completes our transformation; so long as one does not treat them as God’s prerequisites and conditions.
Application:
- What sinfulness do you have that you feel may be difficult to be forgiven?
- If there are none, what feelings of unworthiness do you have that may be holding you back from serving in the community?
I have rated myself quite high in God’s Worthiness Scale, for after all I have and am giving so much. This gospel made me realize that God does not have such a scale, for if He did we would all be found wanting. Insisting on such a scale is also not God’s way. Now I also realize that it is much more wonderful to simply rely on His love especially for the unworthy. End of sharing.
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Other interesting things about this gospel:
The "100 sheep" can mean more than just a metaphorical number, but an actual number that an extended family in Palestine could have since one family could have around 5 to 10 sheep. So this is the number of sheep owned by say, 10 families, and usually more than one, commonly three members of that extended family will shepherd their sheep.
When a sheep is lost, one of the three shepherds will look for it while the other two bring the rest of the flock home. Thus, when this happens, the extended family is concerned not only for the sheep but more so for the shepherd who remained behind to look for the lost sheep. Thus, we can appreciate the joy that the family feels when both shepherd and sheep returns, for both could have been in danger.
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