Trinity 3
Luke 15:1-32
v.4, 8, & 20b What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?...Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?...But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Dear friends in Christ, we have before us this day one of the most richly Gospel-infused readings in the lectionary for the whole church year. Indeed, many commentators refer to this section of St. Luke's Gospel as, "the Gospel within the Gospel of Luke." For herein we see the incredible grace of God at work in seeking after sinners to make them His own and bring them into His family. We see in these three parables that Jesus tells a successive order where the stakes get higher and higher each time. Firstly, that which is lost is one sheep in one hundred--a significant loss. Secondly, that which is lost is one coin in ten--a woman's dowry--a nest egg meant to provide security and safety for her family should they fall upon hard times--incredibly important. Lastly, we see one son in two (actually, both sons are lost throughout the course of this story)--and we see the great love of the father in seeking to bring them both back into the household of joy! When something precious to us is lost--we will move heaven and earth to get it back again.
We see this truth reflected in our own lives as well. We will quite literally tear our house apart to find lost car keys--or, even more importantly--our cell phones! Have you ever seen the expression on the face of a teenager who can't find their phone? It resembles such stark terror that it will frighten you down to the core of your being. Of course, parents know an even greater horror--losing a child. When a child wanders off and is lost we instantly go into panic mode and search everywhere--calling everyone we know--to help us find our lost boy or girl. And we know how easy it is for a small child to wander away in the grocery store or Walmart or zoo. You turn your back for a split second and then they are gone! And you are terrified of what may happen--and so you go get an ice cream cone and sit down and relax for a bit--What?! NO!!! You diligently search to find them, not stopping until you do. Because they are so very precious to you!
Beloved, in the parables that Jesus tells we discover that WE are the ones who are lost. Because of our sinful and rebellious nature we wander away from God and His Word--like stupid sheep we stray--we follow the passions and lusts of our own hearts, ignoring Him and His Word. But does God let us go off into the wilderness to be consumed by the devil? No. He seeks after us. Calls out to us through His Holy Gospel. And when He finds us--He places us on His shoulders--bearing our sin--our burden--our death--in order to bring us safely back to the sheepfold of His blessed church triumphant. Why? Because you are precious to Him. So precious, He would pour out His own life's blood on the cross.
We are the lost coin. Dirty--covered in filth and grime--lost in the darkness of sin and death--lifeless--with no hope of coming back to God on our own. What does He do? He shines the light of His Son Jesus into our lives--the Good News of salvation through the shed blood of Christ--He finds us--He washes us clean in the waters of Holy Baptism--making us gleam and shine before the Father in heaven--all His work--His glory and triumph. Why? Because you are precious in His sight.
Finally, we come to the parable of the prodigal son. Perhaps a better name would be the parable of the two sons and the merciful father. For both sons are at fault--are lost. The younger son's sin is blatant. He basically tells his dad that he wishes he were dead--"Give me my money and give it to me now. I don't want or need you, old man. To hell with you!" This is a picture of the drunken, abusive brother in the family who squanders away his life and possessions on the pursuit of drugs and alcohol and immoral living. He is the one no one likes to talk about at family gatherings. However, by God's grace, this son is hammered with the Law--He sees the futility of his choices and rebellion and, instead, seeks out his merciful Father. He desires only to be allowed to serve in the household--he holds out no hope for restoration as a son of the father--he knows he doesn't deserve it--and could never ask for that great honour.
But here is where the story gets really interesting. Against all rules of decorum and dignity--the father--who apparently has been on the lookout for the return of his beloved son--sees him afar off and races to greet him. Before the son can get out a single word he has been wrapped in a bear hug and kissed all over, such is the joy in the father's heart at the return of his precious child. Finally, the son gets out his rehearsed lines, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father ignores him. Instantly, this scoundrel of a son--a drunkard, a womanizer, a man who has despised and scorned his family--is restored by the gracious hand of the father. "Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."
This is the nature of God's interaction with you and me, dear friends. Though because of our sin we are enemies toward God--though we are filthy and decrepit--covered in guilt and shame--the Father's love knows no bounds. He acts in mercy and compassion and grace. He sends His Son from heaven to earth to take one your sin and guilt and bear it to the cross. To suffer and die in your place. Why? Because you are precious to Him! You have been made in His image and likeness and He loves you beyond measure.
The repentant sinner is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ at Holy Baptism and is made an heir of the kingdom of heaven and all that belongs to the Father. You, beloved, have received full pardon and forgiveness for all of your sin. You have been given a place of honour in the household of God--a place at the banquet feast which will know no end. For though you were dead in your trespasses and sins--you have been raised to life by the gracious power of God working through the blood of Jesus outpoured for you on the cross of Calvary. This is why there is such joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
But this is also the problem, isn't it? This reckless mercy and grace of God. We don't mind it being applied to us so much--at least, when we recognize that we need it in the first place. But we can easily become indignant when this free attitude of grace for all people is applied to the not-so-good elements of our society: the drunks, the prostitutes, the thieves, rapists, murderers, politicians--or just the jerks who live down the street. And in that instant we have become the Pharisees to whom Jesus was telling these parables in the first place. Judgemental. Unforgiving. Arrogant.
You see, Jesus was a Rabbi--a holy man of God--a teacher--a pastor--and the religious leaders of the day were scandalized by the fact that Jesus willingly talked, walked, and even ate with what they considered the scum of society--tax collectors (thieves) and prostitutes. By eating with them, it seemed to the Pharisees that Jesus was condoning their behaviour. How could He do such a thing?! He should be spending more time with them--the good and upright members of society--the regular church goers--the tithers--the council members, etc. [It would be like me hanging out with the people from the strip club instead of going to the church BBQ.]
This, by the way, is also why the older son in the final parable is so upset. He is outraged that his father could do such an outrageous thing as to welcome back this little poop of a younger brother. The elder son is incensed that his father could show such compassion and mercy and he feels cheated (for indeed the inheritance will have to be split--again!). But the father's love knows no bounds--even for this stubborn older son of his. Which is why he goes OUT from the party and feasting to plead with his son to come and rejoice with him and all the community. He calls out to him, even as Jesus calls out to the judgemental Pharisees, even as He calls out to you and me. Why? Because even judgemental, unforgiving, arrogant people are precious in God's sight.
Beloved, this is the great joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ--this is the great joy of Christianity--that all the evil stuff that you think, say, and do--none of it--none at all--can ever keep God from loving you. His love has moved Him to send His only Son to suffer and die on the cross in your place--for you and all people. You belong to Christ. Though you were lost and dead in your sin--yet God has sought you out to make you His own and give you life and salvation through the forgiveness of all of your sins. He doesn’t condone your sin--He forgives it!
And so we rejoice. We rejoice in the rich and undeserved grace and mercy that God has poured out upon us through Jesus Christ. We celebrate and rejoice with the angels of God and all the saints in heaven over one sinner who repents. We rejoice in His gifts of forgiveness that welcome us into His kingdom. We have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. We rejoice in the Feast of the body and blood of the Lamb in the Eucharist. We rejoice that we who were once dead--are alive--those who were lost--have been found. All because we are precious in His sight--and He has moved sin and death--done away with them completely--to bring us into His everlasting kingdom of feasting and joy. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Luke 15:1-32
v.4, 8, & 20b What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?...Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?...But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Dear friends in Christ, we have before us this day one of the most richly Gospel-infused readings in the lectionary for the whole church year. Indeed, many commentators refer to this section of St. Luke's Gospel as, "the Gospel within the Gospel of Luke." For herein we see the incredible grace of God at work in seeking after sinners to make them His own and bring them into His family. We see in these three parables that Jesus tells a successive order where the stakes get higher and higher each time. Firstly, that which is lost is one sheep in one hundred--a significant loss. Secondly, that which is lost is one coin in ten--a woman's dowry--a nest egg meant to provide security and safety for her family should they fall upon hard times--incredibly important. Lastly, we see one son in two (actually, both sons are lost throughout the course of this story)--and we see the great love of the father in seeking to bring them both back into the household of joy! When something precious to us is lost--we will move heaven and earth to get it back again.
We see this truth reflected in our own lives as well. We will quite literally tear our house apart to find lost car keys--or, even more importantly--our cell phones! Have you ever seen the expression on the face of a teenager who can't find their phone? It resembles such stark terror that it will frighten you down to the core of your being. Of course, parents know an even greater horror--losing a child. When a child wanders off and is lost we instantly go into panic mode and search everywhere--calling everyone we know--to help us find our lost boy or girl. And we know how easy it is for a small child to wander away in the grocery store or Walmart or zoo. You turn your back for a split second and then they are gone! And you are terrified of what may happen--and so you go get an ice cream cone and sit down and relax for a bit--What?! NO!!! You diligently search to find them, not stopping until you do. Because they are so very precious to you!
Beloved, in the parables that Jesus tells we discover that WE are the ones who are lost. Because of our sinful and rebellious nature we wander away from God and His Word--like stupid sheep we stray--we follow the passions and lusts of our own hearts, ignoring Him and His Word. But does God let us go off into the wilderness to be consumed by the devil? No. He seeks after us. Calls out to us through His Holy Gospel. And when He finds us--He places us on His shoulders--bearing our sin--our burden--our death--in order to bring us safely back to the sheepfold of His blessed church triumphant. Why? Because you are precious to Him. So precious, He would pour out His own life's blood on the cross.
We are the lost coin. Dirty--covered in filth and grime--lost in the darkness of sin and death--lifeless--with no hope of coming back to God on our own. What does He do? He shines the light of His Son Jesus into our lives--the Good News of salvation through the shed blood of Christ--He finds us--He washes us clean in the waters of Holy Baptism--making us gleam and shine before the Father in heaven--all His work--His glory and triumph. Why? Because you are precious in His sight.
Finally, we come to the parable of the prodigal son. Perhaps a better name would be the parable of the two sons and the merciful father. For both sons are at fault--are lost. The younger son's sin is blatant. He basically tells his dad that he wishes he were dead--"Give me my money and give it to me now. I don't want or need you, old man. To hell with you!" This is a picture of the drunken, abusive brother in the family who squanders away his life and possessions on the pursuit of drugs and alcohol and immoral living. He is the one no one likes to talk about at family gatherings. However, by God's grace, this son is hammered with the Law--He sees the futility of his choices and rebellion and, instead, seeks out his merciful Father. He desires only to be allowed to serve in the household--he holds out no hope for restoration as a son of the father--he knows he doesn't deserve it--and could never ask for that great honour.
But here is where the story gets really interesting. Against all rules of decorum and dignity--the father--who apparently has been on the lookout for the return of his beloved son--sees him afar off and races to greet him. Before the son can get out a single word he has been wrapped in a bear hug and kissed all over, such is the joy in the father's heart at the return of his precious child. Finally, the son gets out his rehearsed lines, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father ignores him. Instantly, this scoundrel of a son--a drunkard, a womanizer, a man who has despised and scorned his family--is restored by the gracious hand of the father. "Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."
This is the nature of God's interaction with you and me, dear friends. Though because of our sin we are enemies toward God--though we are filthy and decrepit--covered in guilt and shame--the Father's love knows no bounds. He acts in mercy and compassion and grace. He sends His Son from heaven to earth to take one your sin and guilt and bear it to the cross. To suffer and die in your place. Why? Because you are precious to Him! You have been made in His image and likeness and He loves you beyond measure.
The repentant sinner is clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ at Holy Baptism and is made an heir of the kingdom of heaven and all that belongs to the Father. You, beloved, have received full pardon and forgiveness for all of your sin. You have been given a place of honour in the household of God--a place at the banquet feast which will know no end. For though you were dead in your trespasses and sins--you have been raised to life by the gracious power of God working through the blood of Jesus outpoured for you on the cross of Calvary. This is why there is such joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
But this is also the problem, isn't it? This reckless mercy and grace of God. We don't mind it being applied to us so much--at least, when we recognize that we need it in the first place. But we can easily become indignant when this free attitude of grace for all people is applied to the not-so-good elements of our society: the drunks, the prostitutes, the thieves, rapists, murderers, politicians--or just the jerks who live down the street. And in that instant we have become the Pharisees to whom Jesus was telling these parables in the first place. Judgemental. Unforgiving. Arrogant.
You see, Jesus was a Rabbi--a holy man of God--a teacher--a pastor--and the religious leaders of the day were scandalized by the fact that Jesus willingly talked, walked, and even ate with what they considered the scum of society--tax collectors (thieves) and prostitutes. By eating with them, it seemed to the Pharisees that Jesus was condoning their behaviour. How could He do such a thing?! He should be spending more time with them--the good and upright members of society--the regular church goers--the tithers--the council members, etc. [It would be like me hanging out with the people from the strip club instead of going to the church BBQ.]
This, by the way, is also why the older son in the final parable is so upset. He is outraged that his father could do such an outrageous thing as to welcome back this little poop of a younger brother. The elder son is incensed that his father could show such compassion and mercy and he feels cheated (for indeed the inheritance will have to be split--again!). But the father's love knows no bounds--even for this stubborn older son of his. Which is why he goes OUT from the party and feasting to plead with his son to come and rejoice with him and all the community. He calls out to him, even as Jesus calls out to the judgemental Pharisees, even as He calls out to you and me. Why? Because even judgemental, unforgiving, arrogant people are precious in God's sight.
Beloved, this is the great joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ--this is the great joy of Christianity--that all the evil stuff that you think, say, and do--none of it--none at all--can ever keep God from loving you. His love has moved Him to send His only Son to suffer and die on the cross in your place--for you and all people. You belong to Christ. Though you were lost and dead in your sin--yet God has sought you out to make you His own and give you life and salvation through the forgiveness of all of your sins. He doesn’t condone your sin--He forgives it!
And so we rejoice. We rejoice in the rich and undeserved grace and mercy that God has poured out upon us through Jesus Christ. We celebrate and rejoice with the angels of God and all the saints in heaven over one sinner who repents. We rejoice in His gifts of forgiveness that welcome us into His kingdom. We have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. We rejoice in the Feast of the body and blood of the Lamb in the Eucharist. We rejoice that we who were once dead--are alive--those who were lost--have been found. All because we are precious in His sight--and He has moved sin and death--done away with them completely--to bring us into His everlasting kingdom of feasting and joy. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus. Amen.