Sunday: Parable of the Lost Sheep — Luke 15:1-7
In the parable of the Lost Sheep, the man with one hundred sheep represents Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The sheep which wander away are those who backslide from the faith. The parable was Jesus’s response to the Pharisees who were murmuring that He associated with sinners. Christ showed that any of them would leave the 99 sheep in the fold to go seek for a single lost sheep. The conclusion here is that the value of a man is even more than the value of a sheep. Instead of being critical of Jesus’s care for the lost, the Pharisees should have sought to meet the needs as well.
Monday: Parable of the Lost Coin — Luke 15:8-10
In the previous parable, the sheep was lost because. of its own foolishness, in this parable, the coin was lost because of the carelessness of another. It is a sobering thought that our carelessness could jeopardize the soul of another. But the emphasis in this parable is not about how the coin got lost but about the diligence taken to find it. The woman searches every corner of her house and even brings in tools to assist her, utilizing a lamp and a broom. She goes to great pains to recover her missing coin. When she finds it, she invites her neighbors to come and celebrate with her.
Tuesday: Parable of the Loving Father — Luke 15:11-32
This parable is commonly called “The Prodigal Son,” but it could also be called the parable of “The Loving Father” because it reveals more about the love of the father than the sinfulness of the son. The father symbolizes our Heavenly Father. The prodigal son is a sinner, who after having realized the error of his ways, is penitent and desires to return to the Father. The key lessons reveal that our Heavenly Father loves His children even when they turn away from Him. He yearns for them and when they return, there is a joyful celebration in heaven.
Wednesday: Parable of the Unjust Steward — Luke 16:1-18
The parable of the Unjust Steward is Jesus’s admonition about faithfulness. He explains that the person who is faithful in what is least, is faithful also in much; he who is unjust in what is least, is unjust in much. He draws the conclusion that if we haven’t been faithful in our handling of material riches (mammon), how can we be entrusted with true spiritual riches?
Thursday: The Parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus — Luke 16:19-31
In this parable, Abraham is God, who alone presides over the destinies of men. The rich man is primarily the religious leadership of Israel. They wore purple, representing God’s favor, and white linen of the sacred priesthood. Lazarus begging at the gate is representative of the whole Gentile world lying in sin. The desire of the beggar to be fed suggests the longing of men’s souls for truth.
Friday: Offenses & Forgiveness — Luke 17:1-4
The rich man had been concerned for his brothers, lest they follow his life example and end up losing their souls. Jesus then warned against living a lifestyle that would cause such circumstances to occur. Living a lifestyle that reflects grace is the Christian’s objective. If we follow that path, we won’t be a stumbling block and we will never grow weary in forgiving others.
Saturday: Faith & Duty — Luke 17:5-10
The disciples’ imperative statement, “Increase our faith,” conveys the idea that faith is dynamic; it is a process, and a person can grow in faith. Their statement also recognizes that they can’t get that faith on their own, only the Lord can strengthen their faith. These verses remind us that it is a sin to overlook the power of faith, and a sin to suppose that we can ever merit salvation. Having faith, exercising that faith, and working for the Kingdom are duties that are expected of us as Christians.