‘Parables – Week 3’ – 6.21.2026

June 21, 2026
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The Departure – Luke 15:11-12 ESV
The father lets his son go, loving him enough to risk heartbreak. 

 

The Father’s Vigil – Luke 15:13-20 ESV
The father waits with hope, loving more than protecting himself. His heart stays open, longing for his son’s return.

  • 2 Peter 3:9 ESV – 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
  • Romans 2:4 ESV – 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

 

The Return and Unconditional Welcome – Luke 15:20-24 ESV
The father runs to his son, forgiving before a word is spoken. Love, not hurt, leads him. He chooses costly compassion over self-protection.

  • John 15:12-13 ESV – 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

The Self-Preserving Older Brother – Luke 15:25-30 ESV
Self-preservation, unforgiveness, jealousy and resentment lock the heart. When we cling to pride and let others dictate our emotions, we miss the joy of loving them freely.

  • ​Hebrews 12:15 ESV – 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

 

The Father Redefines Justice with Mercy – Luke 15:31-32 ESV

The older son sees love as something to be earned, but the father reveals a love that is free and merciful, celebrating restoration rather than enforcing retribution.

 

The Love of Jesus is Our Compass
Luke 23:34a ESV – 34a And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” 

  • Philippians 2:3-5a ESV – 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5a Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

 

We are not called to be hurt BY people, but instead hurt FOR them, longing for their restoration, even when their actions seem to be against us.

 

Two Ways to Be Lost: Both sons are lost.

  1. Rebellion – Rejecting the freedom offered through salvation in Christ.
  2. Hard-hearted – Claiming to be in Christ, but refusing to die to self, letting Him live through you.

 

One Way to Be Found and Be Free: 

  • Lay down your life with Christ, for the sake of letting Him live through you for others
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