Luke 15 and 16

1. 15:1-7 The shepherd looking for the lost sheep is a picture of whom? Who else might it be?
   Comments: Christ – and God. They love all their sheep. Note on verse 7: “…ninety-nine persons who need no repentance.” The Pharisees only thought they were righteous, needing no repentance, (Luke 5:31; 18:9). Hendriksen’s observations: Jesus was being consistent with his instructions (14:12-14); the publicans and sinners were following his instruction (14:35).
2. 15:8-10 What was the value of the coin to the woman? How useful was it while it was lost?
   Comments: The loss of it (worth a day’s wage in monetary terms) made her obsessive about finding it and needing to share her joy when finding it. The value? Priceless. Its use as long as it was lost? Nothing. Hendriksen: We can have four attitudes toward the lost: 1) hatred; 2) indifference; 3) welcoming; and 4) seeking.
3. 15:11-21 List some differences between the son who left home and the son who came back.
   Comments: The son who left was demanding (v. 12); wasteful (v. 13); extravagant (v. 14); rebellious (v. 13); hungry (v. 16). When he came back he was realistic (v. 17); repentant and humble – he had sinned against heaven (v. 19); willing to act (v. 20). The father described his son as dead, then alive; lost, then found (v. 32).
4. 15:20-32 The father in this parable is a picture of whom?
   Comments: God – who loves all his children equally (vv. 24 and 31) – the picture of forgiving love and divine mercy.
5. 15:25-32 How is the older son’s attitude a lesson for us?
   Comments: The older son was self-centered and jealous. Lessons for us? 1) We don’t begrudge the work we do nor do we expect a special reward. 2) We rejoice with those who rejoice. 3) We rejoice that one lost is found. 4) We are forgiving, trust in the repentance of others.
6. 16:1-8 For what did the rich man commend the steward?
   Comments: His shrewdness – not for his crookedness. As the steward made provision for his monetary future, so must we for our spiritual wellbeing. The master does not represent Jesus. Note: 100 measures of oil is equivalent to 800-900 gallons; 100 cor of wheat equivalent to 1000 bushels.
7. 16:9-12 What is Jesus’ example of “very little” in verse 10?
   Comments: Use money for good things to bless people; use your money for good works (v. 9). What is “very little” or “least” is material wealth (v. 10).
8. 16:13-18 Why did the Pharisees scoff at Jesus?
   Comments: Because they didn’t appreciate what he said about money. How could Jesus talk? He had no money! Note: Verse 13 repeats what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:24)
9. 16:19-23 How were the roles of the rich man and Lazarus reversed?
   Comments: The rich man received good things in this life, but was tormented after death; Lazarus was tormented in this life, comforted in the next (v. 25). The rich man became the beggar (v. 27). He had not made friends by mammon (16:9).
10. 16:24-31 What is more important than even someone being raised from the dead?
    Comments: Heeding what has been written. To illustrate what the actual response of his brothers may have been, note the response to the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11. The chief priests wanted to kill Lazarus, to remove the evidence of the miracle (John 12:9-11).