Are you one of the Poor and Lost?

We left Jesus enjoying a well-salted meal with some Pharisees, telling stories, getting his hosts to both laugh and think. But these aren't the only people Jesus hangs out with. Sometimes (all too often) he's found among the dregs of society, and what's a fine Pharisee to make of that? Maybe we'd know better if we could figure out which we are, rich, well-blessed, and well-taught Pharisees, or poor and well-downtrodden, religiously uneducated masses...

(71) Hanging out with the poor and lost

Jesus has just told his “rich” friends a story where the poor and helpless take their place at a banquet. And, of course, Jesus does seem to spend a lot of time with such unsavory types, so it’s not hard to imagine a rich friend suggesting Jesus could have more influence if he stuck to the right sort of companions. Read Luke 15:1-3a, Matthew 18:10-11. Does this sort of debate ever come up in Christian circles today?

1.       Where do you think the idea of “guardian angels” comes from? (Read Psalm 34:7, 91:11, Acts 12:15, Colossians 2:18, Hebrews 1:14 for other personal angel verses.)

2.       Why might Matthew mention angels with this parable and Luke leave them out? (Remember, Luke did mention the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary.)

3.       How might it change our attitude to people (good or bad)  if we think of their angels watching from heaven?

Jesus tells a very familiar parable. Read Luke 15:3b-7, Matthew 18:12-14. But who is listening to this story? Shepherds, sinners, tax collectors, Pharisees, scribes…?

1.       What sort of things do we lose (probably not sheep), and how do we react? What about when we find something we lost? Has prayer ever helped you find something?

2.       Read Luke 15:7. One reading of this story suggests heaven has more joy over sinners than over good people. Another reading suggests we’re all sinners. Which way do you suppose the Pharisees heard it?

a.       Which way do you suppose the tax collectors heard it?

b.      Which way do we hear it? Are we ever tempted to resent the joy in store for (other) sinners?

3.       Read Matthew 18:14. Is it the will of the Father that anyone should perish? What might this mean?

Jesus continues with two more parables, not included in Matthew. Why might the lost seem more important to Luke?

1.       How easily do we think of ourselves as “insiders” rather than “outsiders” in faith; what difference does it make?

2.       Read Luke 15:8-10. Jesus repeats the theme of rejoicing over sinners who repent. Local shepherds (definitely outcasts) might have related well to the last story, but who relates best to this one?

a.       How have you rejoiced recently in church, or in church community?

3.       Read Luke 15:11-13. We know where this story’s going, but Jesus’ first listeners probably didn’t. Ignoring the unkindness of a son asking for his inheritance early, what do you think about the fairness of the division? What would the younger son inherit? What was he expected to do with his money?

4.       Read Luke 15:14-16. Jesus’ listeners were Jews and would be horrified. Luke’s readers were Gentiles; what might they be thinking? Where is the “far land”? And where is our “far land”?

5.       Read Luke 15:17-24. The story sounds like it’s ending in rejoicing again. What’s the biggest difference (so far) between the lost son, the lost sheep and the lost coin?

a.       Should the lost sheep or lost coin be blamed? Should the lost son?

b.      Does the father neglect the good son to watch out for the bad?

c.       Does the father force the bad son to come home?

6.       If we imagine Jesus’ listeners including Pharisees, what might they be saying at this point, especially after the foolish son has cavorted with swine? Are we ever tempted to require something more than “mere” repentance?

7.       Read Luke 15:25-30. How might this relate to what the scribes and Pharisees are saying around Jesus?

8.       Read Luke 15:31-32. Which brother do you most easily relate to?