Rev. Sam Wirgau, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Luke 15:11-32.
Jesus’ third parable in response to the Pharisees’ grumbling brings His teaching on the grace of God to a grand climax. Jesus speaks of a father and his two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance ahead of time. The father responds to this terrible insult by agreeing to his son’s demand. The son liquidates his property and goes to a foreign land, providing a picture of the distance from God inherent in our sin and idolatry. The younger son hits rock bottom and comes to his senses, though he still thinks he will work his way back until he sees the love of his father. The father sees his son at a distance and runs to him; he forgives him, receives him back as a son, and throws a party. At this point, the older son shows that he too is lost. He refuses to go into his dad’s celebration, another terrible insult to the father. Yet the father goes to him as well, calling him into the same joy of being a son rather than a servant. The parable is left open-ended as a call to the Pharisees and scribes to join in the joy of being a part of Jesus’ kingdom with all repentant sinners.
“The Beloved Physician’s Orderly Account” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Evangelist wrote his well-researched account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that Theophilus would have certainty concerning the things he had been taught. As we still read the Word of God recorded by St. Luke, our gracious Lord gives us that same certainty that Jesus is our Savior.
