Lost, Found, and Rejoicing

The parable of the prodigal son is the third in a series of three lost-and-found parables in Luke chapter 15.  In all three parables there is something (sheep/coin) or someone (the father’s youngest son) who is lost but then is found.  When the lost is found there is much rejoicing.   There is joy in heaven over sinners who repent. When the prodigal son foolishly squanders the inheritance his Father gave him, he doubts the Father will forgive him.  Yet, when the prodigal son comes back home, the father throws a feast in celebration of his son who was lost but is found.  Lost, Found, and Rejoicing.

In these three parables told by Jesus, He is addressing the grumbling of people who were upset because Jesus was spending time with sinners in order to call them to repentance and to follow Him.  The people who were grumbling and upset and offended by Jesus’ mercy and concern for sinners are the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son who refused to rejoice with His father and celebrate when his wayward, wasteful, sinful, irresponsible, lazy, and wicked younger brother came back home.  In telling the parable, Jesus is exposing the sinfulness and hypocrisy of those who complained He was hanging out with lost sinners in order to find/save them from their sins.