Luke 15 is a chapter about offense. The purpose is to confront a growing criticism by the pastors (Pharisees, Scribes, Torah teachers) concerning the crowd that lovingly and loyally followed Jesus wherever He went. Through a series of three stories, Jesus masterfully distinguished the difference between Himself and the pastors… the Kingdom and the Synagogue… righteousness and morality. Like the man with a hundred sheep, Jesus loves illogically. Like the woman with the ten coins, Jesus pursues tirelessly. And like the Father with the two sons, Jesus gives abundantly– all for the purpose of reaching the very people for whom He was now being chastised. This is who Jesus is! He does what He does because He is who He is. He completely blows away logic, reason, and liability by introducing this amazing new level of living and loving called GRACE!

This sad postscript about the older brother’s refusal to enter the celebration for his younger brother’s return is full of biting analogy, and the story just ends! When the son came home to the father, they had a party, and everyone rejoiced…EXCEPT one…the older brother. What’s wrong with him?