Compassion – Luke 15:11-32

The Jewish Encyclopedia says, “Among the early Hebrews, as well as among many other nations of antiquity, custom decided that the next of kin should enter upon the possession of the estate of a deceased person. The first-born son usually assumed the headship of the family, and succeeded to the control of the family property (see Primogeniture). When there were no sons, the dying man would appoint a trusted friend as his heir, sometimes to the exclusion of a near relative.”  The critical concept here is that the inheritance came into the possession of the heir at the death of the man.

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”  (Luke 15:11-32 ESV)

Jesus now turns the screws on the Pharisees and Scribes.  They are the older brother.  They don’t understand the compassion of God.  A man of honor does not run, yet God runs to restore the repentant sinner.  The older brother sees himself as sinless, but he dishonored his father by taking the inheritance before his father’s death, as did his younger brother.  He didn’t squander it on unholy living, but he spit in his father’s face just the same.

If the Pharisees and Scribes want to be on the side of God they must also be on the side of sinners, and frankly, must see themselves as sinners, too.  Until they realize they are in the same boat they are unlikely to have the needed compassion.  As long as they see “reckless living” as somehow more sinful than a reckless attitude, they will not see their deep need for repentance.