Parables of Christ - Part 19

The Lost Son

The Audio Version of today’s note

The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20241022 - The Lost Son - Parables Of Christ - Part 19

Luke 15:1-10 KJV

[1] 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. [6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. [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. [8] Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? [9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. [10] Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Note for 20241022

I am sure most have heard this parable by now. It is probably one of the most famous parables of Christ. That being said, we should always approach the Word of GOD as if it is the first time we hear it. You see, when we think we know something well enough, we might not listen closely. Maybe, we won't listen at all, saying, "I know this well." The dangers in that should be evident.

Yesterday we read of the lost sheep and this closely speaks to the same matter. Don't we all come from Adam? I know there are those that say we come from apes, but the Word of GOD simply does not support that. And as man was formed in the image of GOD, I would not go around making that claim to anyone. So mankind closely resembles this lost son, for man left the house of GOD our Father in Heaven. The son that stayed and obeyed his father's commands, resembles those of Judah, of course; while the lost son also points to those of the other tribes of Israel that was considered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, after Israel was split in two. So we got the house of Israel pointing to those lost tribes and the House of Judah as those that remained behind. The House of Jacob in reference, would point to both kingdoms.

Now that we have some terminology in place, we need to briefly look at some history for understanding. After Solomon, the tribes were split into two kingdoms. The House of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) went after idols, when their king set up golden calves for them to worship. This he did, so that his subjects would not go to the house of GOD in Jerusalem and love the King of Judah, to follow him instead. According to the Word, there were those that forsake their property to go to Judah, because they would not bow before these idols.

The Northern tribes were taken into captivity by the Assyrians. In 2 Kings 17 you can read of the account where Assyrians were made to live in the territories of Northern Israel, even how the Assyrian King sent them a priest of the House of Israel to teach his subjects to pray and obey the Lord of that land. The House of Israel was settled in the land of the Assyrians.

This history, the Pharisees would have known, which is part of their destain for the Galileans and Samaritans we read of in the New Testament. You see, not only did they know who were settled in the territories of Northern Israel, the Gentiles as we know them, but also because the House of Israel abandoned their faith in the One True God of Jacob. The seed of the House of Israel were mingled with the gentiles, and they went after the gods of those nations to which they were scattered. Maybe now the ministry of Paul to the gentiles might be understood better.

Matthew 15 KJV

[24] But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [25] Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. [26] But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. [27] And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. [28] Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Do you think our Lord Jesus Christ knew the history of these people; His people? Now, you can also go read about the promise GOD made to Abraham, how all the nations would be blessed in his seed. Our Lord knew, just as these Pharisees knew who he was speaking about in the parable of the lost son. They were "the son" who would not come in to celebrate in the feast of "the repentant son." They knew the prophecies of the Messiah that would come. They were unwilling to celebrate the reunion, for they stayed with GOD, they thought, and obeyed the laws of GOD and thought that what was left of the inheritance was all theirs.

Now, for more details on how valid their claims were you can read of the interactions of Christ with them. He called them hypocrites, the seed of the serpent and the synagogue of Satan. Now, to understand those interactions, you will need to read Ezra 9.

Oh! The Pharisees and scribes knew exactly what Christ was talking about in this parable, they were devout scholars of the Torah, the writings of the Prophets of GOD (whom their father's killed) and the history of their people. And they were not pleased what Christ was saying, speaking from that which He received of His Father in Heaven.

For us today, by grace and mercy; even the servants are invited to feast with our Father in Heaven, by the Sacrifice of GOD for Mankind. As we learn more and more from the Word of GOD, it makes the words of Christ our Lord even more profound. It brings Glory to the Merciful Father in Heaven that we worship in the Name of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who made atonement for our sin and fulfilled the law so we may be set free.

I sincerely hope that this brief look at the parable of the lost son today brought you even more assurance in the Salvation we have in Christ Jesus.

Shalom

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

(YouVersion - expanded from verse 16)

Psalm 59:14-17 KJV

[14] And at evening let them return; And let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. [15] Let them wander up and down for meat, And grudge if they be not satisfied. [16] But I will sing of thy power; Yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: For thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. [17] Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: For God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.