Luke 15:1-32
What was Jesus’ point in the teaching?
In Luke 15:1-32, everything Jesus has said begins with His wonderful parables; a shepherd seeking a lost sheep, a woman seeking a lost coin, and a father receiving His son who was lost and has been found. Jesus has shown His compassion towards the sinners as He welcomes them and eats with them (Luk. 15:2 New International Version). Jesus’ parables were amazingly spoken to the people who were gathered before Him, including the tax collectors, sinners, and even the Pharisees and the teachers of the law have witnessed everything. Mainly, Jesus’ teaching unveiled His ultimate love towards the sinners. Through His parables, Jesus preached significantly about compassion, repentance, confession, and salvation. Moreover, Jesus taught the people, especially the sinners about forgiveness and acceptance. The parables signify that Jesus never abandoned His children. The Pharisees are religious leaders, however, murmured why Jesus welcomed the sinners (Luk. 15:1 New International Version). It only shows that they never understand that the main purpose of Jesus is to find those who are lost and to restore them for salvation. Thus, the three parables emphasized the several aspects about Jesus’s greatest compassion for the lost, His people or children.
In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus taught the people to show importance and love equally and every individual is a part of the community. The lost sheep has the characteristic that an individual has in common because, at times, an individual gets lost. As supported in the scripture that “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:6 New International Version). The second parable, the parable of the lost coin, Jesus taught the people to value simple things. The woman has valued the coin as her precious treasure. It only shows that even a simple thing like a silver coin is important. Sinners are like silver coins with less value for some disapproving individuals, but Jesus sees them as a treasure. Jesus values His people or children more than anything in the universe, thus, He values all lost sinners more than everything. Lastly, the parable of the lost son, Jesus taught the people that He always forgives His children who committed sins. Jesus emphasized that when the younger son humbled and asked an apology to his father, the father has forgiven him. In the scripture, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son,” But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luk. 15:21-24 New International Version). At times, some people live extravagantly and selfishly, but their souls have never been satisfied. The younger brother is a reflection wherein some people today strongly desire for the earthly pleasure rather than live their lives with Jesus. On the other hand, the older brother has the characteristic of jealousy like the Pharisees, who never understood the compassion of Jesus towards the sinners. The scripture said “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23 New International Version). Despite the selfishness and jealousy, Jesus is ready to forgive, restore those who are lost through repentance and confession.
What sort of relevance does this teaching have for other worldviews?
Particularly, the three parables remind the sinners that if they believe in and willing to accept the generous forgiveness of Jesus, they will experience the celebration and salvation with God. People always have a special happy feeling when lost things have been found and they rejoice in finding the lost possessions. The scripture said, “And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep” (Luk. 15: 5-6 New International Version). Similarly, another verse in the scripture, “And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin” (Luk. 15: 9 New International Version). In the same way, “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate” (Luk. 15:24 New International Version). The parables describe the joy and celebration after finding the lost things. Everything explains why Jesus associates the parables with the sinners and demonstrates the essence of what are lost and have been found. The third parable “The Lost Son” is the most touching story; it represents many things human beings experience in life. For example, those parents who experience with their child who ran away from home, the passages of the scripture comfort them with the pain and hardship. In general, the parables introduce the significance of sinners to Jesus; it attempts to teach the people to accept Jesus as their savior. Thus, Jesus speaks about the His great love and he unveils the truth about repentance, confession, forgiveness, and salvation. As written in the scripture in Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent,” and in Luke 15:10 “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” .
What does this teaching reveal about Jesus?
Indeed, Jesus loves every human being; He never forsakes anyone and He always offers forgiveness and salvation to those who repent and confess. Jesus Christ is God who has the ultimate love of all the people on earth. Jesus forgives all the sins of the world and as the scripture said “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 New International Version). The parables entail comfort to those who are confused being sinners. If a sinner listens to Jesus’ gospel and experience His blessing, then he or she receives contentment. In finding the lost possessions, the sheep, and the coin, the search is considered fruitful. At present, people can learn from the parables as it revealed the significant aspects of the lost sinners. Jesus always cares for those who are lost and He cares for every human being. Jesus always tells the people that they are more valuable than anything in this world and He always searches to find them. Jesus always shows every human being that He is a forgiving God. The only way to be truly contented in life is through Jesus and receives His salvation. It is written that “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps” (Psa. 85:10-13 New International Version).
Mark 2:1-12
Identify at least one claim that Jesus made out His nature and/or the purpose of His ministry. What is the significance of this claim?
In Mark 2: 1-12, the purpose of Jesus ministry is the forgiveness of sins and heal the sickness of the world. The action of Jesus when He claimed to forgive the sins of the paralytic man bring out the strong reaction from the religious leaders who have witnessed Jesus actions. As written in the scripture that “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2: 5 New International Version). Jesus action is a healing as self-revelation that He has the authority to forgive the sins of the man. Jesus shows His nature or purpose as he proceeds to heal the man and to the amazement of the crowd, the man gets up and walks. The scripture said, “He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2: 12 New International Version). The significance of this claim is that the ministry of Jesus touches the lives of the people and He has the power and authority to start His ministry. Jesus shows the evidence for His divinity; He forgives sins, heals the sick, and he claims He is the Son of God.
How would you personally answer Jesus’ question, “But who do you say that I am?” Describe your own beliefs about Jesus.
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:29 New International Version). For me, Jesus is the true Messiah and through Him, I will be saved. Jesus is God; I believe that Jesus can change my entire being and worthy of His name. Personally, I accepted Him as my personal Savior. I believe in the Holy Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I have faith in Him and I believe that He is the Savior of the world. I truly believe when Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14: 6 New International Version). I consecrate my life to Jesus, my Savior.
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