These parables are our Lord’s answer to the murmuring of the Pharisees—“This Man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). They are His divinely perfect way of vindicating the love and grace of God. So far from denying the charge, the Lord displays the truth and blessedness of that with which they charge Him. To do this He uses not one but three parables, each giving different aspects of the same love and grace, and all blending together to reveal the heart of God. And in this we have displayed the whole Trinity.
The Lost Sheep (15:1-7)
Fittingly, the Lord begins with Himself, the Son. He had come into the world for this very purpose—to save sinners. The sheep belongs to Him (as all things are His), but has gone astray, beyond all hope of recovery by its own efforts. In fact it does nothing toward that recovery; both the shepherd in the parable and the true Shepherd do it all—leave all to accomplish this purpose. It includes Christ’s coming in flesh, His perfect life showing His absolute sinlessness, and above all His atoning death—the finished work of divine love, in making possible its saving the lost.
“But none of the ransomed ever
knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night that
the Lord passed through,
Ere He found the sheep that was
lost.” (E.C. Clephane)
As the work of saving was His, so the power to keep and bring home is His. The joy in it all and over the lost one found is His also. Indeed the joy throughout these parables is looked at as chiefly on God’s part. The reflection of that is in the saved soul.
The Lost Piece of Money (15:8-10)
Here in the woman seeking to find the lost coin it is not difficult to think of the present work of the Holy Spirit in the people of God, seeking diligently by the light of the Word, and the zeal of love, to reach those hidden in the dust of the world—behind their business, cares, pleasures—whatever hides them. Those who believe in the truth of their sin and of Christ as Saviour are “found.” The Spirit’s work is accomplished in working “repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). Again there is joy in the presence of the angels of God.
The Lost Son (15:11-24)
In the first two parables the lost is seen largely or entirely passive. But in the last is seen the working of grace in the person, leading to a sense of misery, a turning to God, and coming with confession, to Him from the place of distance and of shame. And yet, may we not say, this is but the background upon which to display the love of the Father. It is the Father who is waiting, who sees the poor wanderer at a great distance—for who has ever “repented enough” or come all the way alone? With divine haste, the Father anticipates all, and with the kiss of pardon welcomes the lost to the best in His house—robe, ring, sandals, and feast. All are the gift of the Father whose joy He only, with the Son and Spirit, knows in its divine eternal fullness.
To God the Father be the praise now and ever, by the Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(From Help and Food, Vol. 38.)