Stroll through Scripture for March 23, 2025

Based on Luke 15:1-32

The Narrative Lectionary gives us three of Jesus’ parables in one setting.  It’s important to pay attention to the set up.  In this section, we have a group of Pharisees and scribes.  We also hear about tax collectors and sinners.  These are groups at the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to social standing.  The Pharisees were men who were known for their personal piety.  The scribes were learned.  Both groups would have had stature in the community.  Tax collectors were considered traitors to Israel since they worked for and with the Roman empire.  And sinners were considered unclean – a direct conflict with what it means to be a Pharisee.  

It’s also important to keep in mind that Jesus has been hanging out with both Pharisees and tax collectors and sinners.  And this is why we hear about the Pharisees and scribes grumbling.  They say, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  This grumbling seems to be long standing human problem.  We still hear similar complaints today.  Not that long ago a person of great influence in society complained that there was too much empathy, as if caring about others is a problem.  

Jesus gives three parables in response.  The first is the parable of the lost sheep.  In our American context, we often hear this as a parable about Jesus going after the lost sheep and we are the sheep and are grateful for Jesus doing that.  It misses a bit of the punch of the parable though.  Jesus isn’t just going get the sheep because of the love for a lost sheep.  He’s also going to get the sheep to make the herd whole again.  This has been Jesus’ whole mission all along in many ways.  Whenever he heals someone or casts out a demon, he is not just restoring a person to good health, he is making a community whole again because that person can now participate in the life of the community.  

The parable of the lost coin emphasizes the value and worth of those that are deemed lost.  They don’t lose value just because they are lost.  When the coin is found there is rejoicing.  

And finally, the parable of the prodigal son is Jesus throwing it back on the Pharisees.  The older brother sounds like what the Pharisees were grumbling about.  They know their piety, and they let others know about it too.  And they grumble about those who do not share their same piety, as if these others are of lesser value.  But Jesus emphasizes that God is a God of yet another chance, an unfair God, a God of mercy and grace, a God who is more interested in right relationship than with outward expressions of piety that are absent heart transformation.  God is a God of right relationship. 

Questions for Reflection:

• Jesus talks about the joy of people turning back towards God.  How has the Spirit turned you towards God?  
• Where have you encountered people like the older and younger brother in the parable, as well as the father?