Crazy Love
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
I. Crazy Love
- Crazy Love (Luke 15)
- (v1-3) Jesus teaches three parables that reveal the love of God towards lost mankind and the joy heavens experiences when the lost is found.
a.(v4-7) The shepherd/lost sheep = Jesus
b. (v8-10) The woman/lost coin = Holy Spirit
- The Father/lost sons = Father
a.(v12) The younger son shows his total disrespect and disregard towards his father.
- This is like saying, “I can’t wait for you to die. I don’t need you or want to be with you. I just want your stuff.”
- The father divided the estate between them.
b.(v13) He blew all his father’s substance on riotous living, because he never learned from his father.
- Wealth usually given all at once is blown!
c.(v14) The father couldn’t help the son as long as he was away from him.
d.(v15) If we turn away from the Father, Satan will provide a bad substitute. We must know the Father is our Source or we will end up in want and lack.
e.(v16) There is no real substitute for the love of God.
f.(v17) “When he came to himself…” Have you ever come back to yourself?
g.(v18-19) The son’s rehearsed speech.
- He didn’t come back for the father but for food
- “Worthy to be called your son?”
h.(v20) The father saw him a long way off.
- Running as in a race. (trecho)
- Moved with compassion not anger or judgment.
- Continuous repeated fervent hugging and kissing! (kataphileo)
i.(v21-23) Son starts in on his rehearsed speech but the father interrupts him and starts bringing gifts.
- The best robe, the ring; the sandals, and the fatted calf
3.The Best Robe is the robe of righteousness. Since the fall man has clothed himself to cover his sinful nature.
4.A Ring represents covenant, authority and wealth. The ring is a type and shadow of the name of Jesus.
5.The Sandals represent our ability to stand before God.
a.Two words used for sandals in the Bible: sandalions – the commoner’s shoes and hypodema – the expensive footwear. Servants wore no shoes.
6.The Fatted calf represents an innocent life (Jesus) prepared and killed for the rebellious son.
a.“Let us eat and be merry!” Rejoice and have a party!
- The Older Son
- (v25) The older son was busy working in the field while the party had already started.
a.He came out of the field but would not go into the celebration (the rest).
2.(v26-27) “…because he has received him safe and sound…” God doesn’t want you hurt or suffering with pain! We bring on the pain with foolish actions!
3.(v28) “But he was angry and would not go in.” We get angry when others get blessed when we don’t think they should be!
a.The father pleaded with him to come in and enjoy!
4.(v29) Many believers think that it is their works and keeping the law that entitles them to the blessings but IT’S NOT! It’s totally God’s work in Jesus which is HIS GRACE!
5.(v30) “…this son of yours…” Jealous of his blessed brother.
6.(v31-32) ALL that the Father has is available for ALL of us regardless of how bad we’ve messed up or not but we must enter his rest.