(Luke 15-24)
Another interesting feature of Luke's gospel is his attention to Jesus' parables. He includes more of them than any other gospel writer: 24 total with 18 of them unique, as compared with Matthew (23 total, 11 unique), Mark (8 total, 2 unique) and John (none). One particular stretch that stands out to me is in chapters 15-18, a group of 7 parables all unique to Luke.
Probably the most famous of these - even many who have never read the Bible have heard of it - is best known as the parable of the prodigal son. But really this is a misnomer, isn't it? It would be better labeled as the parable of the two sons. A lot of focus is given to the prodigal, probably because of the encouragement we all receive from the great promise that no matter how far we've strayed, our Father will always welcome back those who repent. But I doubt this was even the main reason why Jesus told the parable.
In 15:1-2 the context tells us that this parable was in response to the Pharisees and scribes grumbling about Jesus receiving and eating with "sinners." Jesus responds to them with two very short parables in which something is lost - first a sheep, then a coin. In both cases, all rejoice when that which was lost is found. The much longer parable of the two sons starts the same - a son is lost and the father rejoices when he is found - but it ends very differently. This time there is one who does not rejoice: the second son, an older brother. His reason? "I never disobeyed your command, yet you never..." threw a party for me (v. 29)
The "sinners" the Pharisees and scribes were grumbling about are represented by the prodigal and the grumblers are represented by the older son. It seems to me that the main point of the parable is more about the second group. Instead of rejoicing as they should have when lost sinners become found, they were more concerned with their own self-righteousness, what they thought they deserved for their perceived obedience.
The reality, of course, is that none of us are perfectly obedient, nor do we deserve anything from our Father. And yet, it is so easy for church folk to think just like these Pharisees when they compare their relatively upright lives to the sinners who surround them. It is this attitude that Jesus condemns.
Father, help me to have your heart for the lost. That I would never set myself up as better or more deserving than them, but to remain aware of how all of us are only welcomed into your presence because of grace. In that spirit, help me to be welcoming to even the vilest sinner in the hope that they will turn back to You.