Not Three, But Four

Luke 15 is, for most of us, a very familiar chapter of Scripture. Likely, the most famous part of the chapter is the parable we often refer to as “the prodigal son.” Last Sunday morning, though, I was reminded in a very simple way of something I need to have in my thinking when I approach this great chapter.

The reminder came from a young man who was speaking at the worship service held for Lads to Leaders in Nashville. His lesson was taken from this chapter, but the way he introduced the chapter was a wonderful reminder. I won’t get the wording 100% correct, but it was something like this:

In this chapter, there are lost things: a coin, a sheep, and two sons.

Did you read that carefully? There are not three lost things in that chapter. There are four. Too often, though, we summarize the chapter as if there are only three: a lost coin, sheep, and boy (or son).

Now, the point of the young man’s lesson was not based on “counting” the lost things in that chapter, but I was impressed by this very mature reminder that we need to focus on all four lost things found in Luke 15.

And here is why: if you read the opening of the chapter, these parables (or, Luke actually uses the singular–“parable”–which is another study for another time) were told by Jesus in response to the religious elites being so upset that Jesus associated with those considered despicable (verses 1-2). Jesus, through these beautiful stories, reminds them that what is lost needs to be found.

But if we leave off the fourth lost thing–the older son–we’ve missed the point of the chapter!

These religious leaders were lost because they would not accept the “riffraff” when it was found; when these people were saved. The older son is, in many ways, the linchpin of the entire parable; yet we often miss it.

So, thank you to that young man for a simple reminder by just using the phrase “two sons.” It caused me to go back to Luke 15 again and remind myself that not three, but four things were lost. And that I pray I am never like any of them, including that fourth thing: the older son.

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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn