October 24, 2022 – Monday
Luke 15:1-3 NIV
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.
2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable:
Comment
On Friday, I wrote we will begin looking at what is known as the Prodigal Son verses on Monday (today) in verses 11-32 of Luke 15. However, it became clear to me it would be necessary to address the opening or introduction to the three parables first and that consists of the three verses we have for today.
If we return to Luke 14, we find that Jesus had attended a dinner at the house of a prominent Pharisee and later with large crowds following Him, He gave the cost of becoming His disciple. So it is no surprise tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But who were the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who were also gathered around Him? Ellicott’s Commentary tells us, we may well believe that the speakers were some of the guests of Luke 14:15. They had followed Him to see what He would do, and were at once startled and shocked to find the Teacher who had spoken so sternly to those who were professedly godly, not only talking to, but eating with, those who were, at any rate, regarded as ungodly and sinful. Note Ellicott’s description of the Pharisees as professedly godly.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law were so upset they muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” They were talking behind His back, but still He heard them. They clearly missed what had happened when Jesus was eating at Levi’s house. In Mark 2:16-17, we read, 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
But this time Jesus did not answer them instead, 3 Then Jesus told them this parable. Who were them that Jesus was addressing? Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible tells us Jesus was speaking To the Pharisees, for their conviction and confutation; and to the publicans and sinners for their encouragement. I think we all get how He was speaking to the publicans and sinners, but the Pharisees? And what does confutation mean? Online: A confutation is the act of refuting someone’s point forcefully. Thus Jesus, in the parables that follow, seeks to address the conviction of the Pharisees and refute the conviction forcefully. The conviction is how the Pharisees believed they had no need to repent as they were God’s representatives on earth.
We will keep the above in mind as we look at verses 11-32.
Bottom Line: Jesus had a message for those who knew they were sinners and also for those steeped in self-righteousness.
Prayer: Almighty God, Help me to always know of my need for Your forgiveness through Your Son for without it I would be condemned to hell. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek