Parables Series: Part 5, The Lost Sheep, Coin and Son
he Prodigal Son or Parable of the Lost Son is one of the most memorable parables taught by Jesus to illustrate how the Kingdom of God welcomes everyone that was once lost. As a matter of fact, the three parables of the Lost Son, Sheep and Coin all have some things in common: They are essentially about redemption. These parables are found in Luke 15, but we will provide a summary for the longer parable which we will use as the main premise : The Lost Son.
Parables of Jesus
Parable of the Lost Son / Prodigal Son * Parable of the Lost Sheep * Parable of the Lost Coin
The Prodigal Son / Lost Son Summary
Takes Off
There was a man who had two sons. The younger son asked for his share of inheritance which the father gave him. The younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
Change of Heart
When he came to his senses, he set out to go back to his father to beg for forgiveness. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Restored
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Meanwhile, the older son soon found out became angry and refused to go celebrate. So his father went out and pleaded with him saying ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
Key Takeaways
01Being Lost
A separation takes place, willfully or not. This is the same as separating from God. Satan deceives people by making them think there’s a better life out there. He does this by showing you worldly pleasures such as living an immoral lifestyle, being covetous, having lust, and pride. Do you remember the temptation of Jesus in the desert and the temptation of Adam and Eve? When you separate from God just like Adam and Eve did, you lose everything and death follows. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
02Being Found
Clearly, the father rejoiced when the son decided to return, and so did the owners of the sheep and coin when they recovered their lost property. This is what happens when we return to God. The scriptures say “that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner” (Luke 15:7). God restores us from our sins, because a price was paid in full already by Jesus dying on the cross for us. All it takes is going back to Jesus to once again become a child of God. God is ready to forgive us because of his compassion and unconditional love for us.
The son that stayed home was not happy with the father throwing a party for his own younger brother. This reminds me of Jonah (a prophet) who got upset with God. This is quite a common trait among us right? It’s simply being selfish, but God teaches us that he cares and wants to save everyone, even your enemies as long they turn away from their sins and repent.
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