Healing our Wounds in Luke 15

 Sun, Mar 30, 2025 The Fourth Sunday in Lent Josh (4:19-24) 5:1(2-8)9-12 Ps 34 or 34:1-8 2 Cor 5:17-21 Luke 15:11-32

" The two parables are written to heal our wounds, for they represent the Divine remedy that comes from the Trinity, the father representing God the Father, the shepherd Christ, and the woman the church - Ambrose"  in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture-Luke

" But you, Lord, are good and merciful, and your right hand plumbed the depths of my death, draining the cesspit of corruption in my heart, so that I ceased to will all that I had been wont to will, and now willed what you willed." St. Augustine of Hippo

"In 1986 Henri Nouwen, a Dutch theologian and writer, toured St. Petersburg, Russia, the former Leningrad. While there he visited the famous Hermitage where he saw, among other things, Rembrandt's painting of the Prodigal Son. The painting was in a hallway and received the natural light of a nearby window. Nouwen stood for two hours, mesmerized by this remarkable painting. As he stood there the sun changed, and at every change of the light's angle he saw a different aspect of the painting revealed. He would later write: "There were as many paintings in the Prodigal Son as there were changes in the day."

It is difficult for us to see something new in the parable of the Prodigal son. We have heard the story so many times we believe that we have squeezed it dry of meaning."  from sermons@sermons.com for  4th Sunday in Lent

Last week we looked and spoke about the Fig tree .  The need for repentance was our focus.  Cutting down the tree that did not produce fruit was an option. God is merciful and first in the story gave it three years , but even so, mandating its destruction was not the focus, but it did not produce fruit.  Luke 13 ( from last week's meditation. "The last phrase of this parable may be better thought of as, " you can cut it down." ( in the original language).  I had not seen that before,  and it shows that God is longsuffering and has patience with us. This is from Leon Morris' Luke.  ( a well known evangelical in the Church of England)"

1. Today we ask about what this story means for us told by our Lord.  Note the tax collectors and sinners in 15:1 "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."

They were literally grumbling to excess." The verb διαγογγύζω (diagogguzó) is used to describe a thorough or intense form of murmuring or complaining. It implies a sense of dissatisfaction or discontent that is expressed in a subdued or secretive manner. This term is often used in contexts where there is a communal or collective expression of discontent, typically against leadership or divine provision." biblehub.com

People do want to hear about and from Jesus.  Our problem is that we too are sometimes like the grumbling religious leaders .  " We must not give up on those who have gone out of the way, but according to the example of Christ we must take great pains for them.

 Some publicans and sinners came to Christ from all areas." Geneva commentary biblehub.com 

We need to seriously examine ourselves on this point of grumbling and not accepting even the trying people we write off.   If we want to see Christ in all His glory and splendor we will not see Him in our complaints.

2.  Jesus tells us the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin and lastly the Two sons.

Why?  What are they all about?

They are certainly about repentance which we have suggested earlier.  They are about God who takes the initiative in our repentance as well as our faith.  He calls us to love and serve Him, and without that call in our hearts, we are unable to respond.  Some see this as a negative, but the Scriptures are full of God taking care of His people and calling them to Himself. This is not a negative, but a wonderful blessing and truth!

 " Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."  Luke 15.  Parable of the lost sheep

The same is true in the Parable of the lost coin. "Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

3.  The Parable of the Prodigal Son says the same thing in a different way.  The Forgiving Father sees the son afar off on his journey back home when " came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, "

I like the title better, Parable of the Forgiving Father.  

God loves us in Christ way before we knew Him.  Our repentance is a fruit of His call and love.  Wow I say.  

I can't see the other way at all.  We are unworthy. We are in the  more of sin, and God calls in His forgiving love to know and love Him, for that is true life.

I go back to our opening quotes for they are a lot richer than just passing over them quickly. Augustine had it .  He knew what true faith and repentance were.

"The two parables are written to heal our wounds, for they represent the Divine remedy that comes from the Trinity, the father representing God the Father, the shepherd Christ, and the woman the church - Ambrose"  in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture-Luke

" But you, Lord, are good and merciful, and your right hand plumbed the depths of my death, draining the cesspit of corruption in my heart, so that I ceased to will all that I had been wont to will, and now willed what you willed." St. Augustine of Hippo

If you want a good read, take up his Confessions and you will find yourself in it too.  We too ran off and were not responsive until God called us in love and repentance.

Conclusion- Have our wounds been healed?  All of us need His cleansing every day and for eternity by faith and repentance in His blessed Son.