In studying the three parables (so-called) of Luke 15 we should not overlook the fact that they were spoken by our Lord as one parable (v.3) to show how God, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost "receives sinners" and companies with them. The Son, like the shepherd, seeks the lost, that he might save them; the Spirit, like the woman, seeks the lost that He might use them; God, like the father, seeks the lost that He might have fellowship with them. This is the threefold aspect of God's great and perfect salvation.

God began to seek man as soon as sin came in. He sought for Adam and said, "Where art thou?" If man was ever to be saved, Christ must come and die for man's sins. So the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. And, so the first story tells us, the Shepherd came after the sheep.

As "sheep," man went astray from his very birth (Isa. 53:6). A sheep knows how to go astray, but has not sense enough to find its way back. It is a silly creature. It is lost to safety, and in danger of eternal perdition if not found by Christ (Luke 19:10).

As a "piece of silver," man is dead. A sheep is too foolish to get back; silver is unable to do so. Man is dead in trespasses and in sins (Eph. 2:1).A lost piece of silver is of no use. So a sinner away from God is of no use to Him. God cannot do anything with those who do not know and love Him.

As "son," man is not merely a victim of sin, but a criminal. The prodigal pictures the sinner in his self-will going astray. He knew enough to go from home; so he must come back or perish in his sins. Here, not predestination, but human responsibility comes in.

The Shepherd seeks; the woman pleads; the Father receives. The Shepherd went after his sheep; the woman sought after the silver; but the Father did not come after the prodigal. The Shepherd is Christ, and He did leave His home on high and did come down here to seek the lost. The woman pictures the Holy Spirit, operating through the Church (typified in the woman), thus seeking lost souls. The Holy Spirit came from heaven after the Ascension of our Lord, working in and through us to reach the lost. But the Father never came to earth. He did not come after the prodigal; the prodigal must come to Him or perish. Christ and the Spirit have come to seek; the Father waits to receive the penitent soul. They came to us; we must come to Him. They speak of God's sovereignty, while the Father's attitude tells of man's responsibility.

In each case there is one soul saved. One out of one hundred; one out of ten; one out of one. God deals with ones, with individuals. It is not "they" that believe, but "he" that believeth. Have you come home to God, like the poor sinner of this wonderful parable?

(Adapted from Meditations in Luke, by August Van Ryn.)