Luke 15:1-3;
11-32–The Father welcomes the penitent (the response to salvation)
The Gospel lesson for
this week assures us of God’s joyous reception for the repentant sinner. Jesus
was criticized for associating with sinners. In His defense, Jesus tells the
parables recorded in Luke 15 of God’s acceptance of a repentant sinner.
Vv. 1-3 provides the
setting. Tax collectors and sinners were the sort who did not have ears to
listen to Jesus and yet He welcomes them. At issue is Jesus’ welcome and
acceptance of sinners. The parables which follow are a defense and vindication
of the Gospel. In particular, Vv. 11-32 has something to say both to “tax collectors and sinners” and to “Pharisees and scribes.”
Jesus associated with
sinners not because He approved of their way of life. He knew they needed Him.
They needed friendship and understanding. He went to them for a purpose, to
lead them to repentance. He did not, nor should we; go to them to become one of
them but to get them to become one with Him. This is the reason for today’s
church to go to the worst – to win them back to God.
Do you honestly feel about sinners as God does? Are
you glad when a sinner sees his error and comes back? Do you love the sinner,
and accept him as though nothing happened? Like God will you forgive from the
heart without passing judgment or asking questions? Would you take an
ex-murderess into your home to care for your youngest child? Really? Then you identify with the Father.
Notice
the Father has compassion. Literally he was “moved in the gut,” or “his stomach
ached for him.” Significantly, in the New Testament it refers to the
Savior, the forgiving King (Matthew 18:27) and the Father in this particular
passage. There is a tenderness here in
the Father. His heart melts for us.
[1] The Prodigal Son, Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
[2] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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