Paul Trask continues with Part 2 of a 4 part series examining Luke 15, which includes the parable of The Return of the Prodigal Son.
He explains that one of the most important keys to understanding this chapter is realizing that the entire chapter — in reality — is really only one parable, not three (see v. 3).
The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Lost Son are really then 3 “acts” comprising a single “play,” all conveying a single, unified message and conclusion.
Paul then explores in detail the story of the Lost Coin in vv. 8–10. Last week Jesus portrayed Himself as a good shepherd — indeed the Great Shepherd — prophesied by both Jeremiah and Ezekiel. And as the Great Shepherd, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). This week Jesus portrays Himself as a good, faithful and diligent housewife whose efforts are successful in finding a coin which she had lost. This lowly housewife is then held up to Israel’s religious leaders as an ideal example which they themselves should emulate. Absolutely scandalous!
Will Israel’s leaders repent, allow themselves to also be found of God and then join in the party? We are not told. We are left in tension.