Spring 1993

Three Levels of Kingdom Living
Luke 15:1-32
Joe Nieves

Jesus had been teaching about motives and attitudes which produce true Kingdom living when the Publicans and Sinners came to hear Him; but the Pharisees and Scribes found fault with Him because He was consorting with sinners.

Jesus answered them with this parable. It consists of three parts: the Lost Sheep; the Lost Coin; and the Lost Son.

The lost sheep can be seen as being in the outer court; the lost coin in the holy place; and the lost son in the holiest.

1. The Lost Sheep Luke 15:3-7.

There were one hundred sheep which were part of a sheepfold under a shepherd. Our Lord is the Good Shepherd (John 10:14), the Great Shepherd (Heb 13:20), and the Chief Shepherd (I Peter 5:4) of this flock.

One of these had wandered into the wilderness, or outer court, and was lost. This is a place where we can grow; where we are tested to become rooted and grounded in Him; a place of beauty and strength. It may also be a lonely place of hardship and trials. It depends upon our attitude, how we perceive what God is allowing at this time in our lives.

Matthew 26:31 says, "Smite the shepherd and scatter the sheep." Many shepherds have scattered the sheep. As a result, some sheep have isolated themselves, and have become a law to themselves. In Luke 19:14 they said, "We will not have this man to reign over us." The Lord says, "I will give you Pastors according to My heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."

Some are lost through foolishness. There are two Greek words used to explain this. The first, "Aphron" signifies without reason, a reckless and inconsiderate habit of mind. The second, "Moros" means morally foolish; a lack of character. A failure to mature and develop in the ways of God.

Others stray through ignorance, that is, a want of experiential knowledge. But thanks be to the Lord, the Good Shepherd searched until the lost sheep was found.

II. The Lost Coin Luke 15:8-10

The woman represents the Church. She is spoken of in Eph 5:31. "This is a great mystery, but I am speaking of Christ and The Church." She has lost something of value. She had ten coins, perhaps part of a dowry given as a pledge of her wedding, a gift. The Holy Spirit has given to each of us a dowry, a gift and gifts, as part of the pledge of the full inheritance.

The woman lost the coin in the house, or in the dimension of the Holy Place. The temple was referred to as the House of God 1 Kings 8:1-11. Christ is over His house, the Church. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

This coin was lost through carelessness or negligence. She too had become lazy and took the Lord for granted. "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion." To live is to grow, and to grow is to change. Consider the other side of the same coin. Luke 10:38-42, Martha is so busy that she has become distracted, anxious and worried about her service. Like so many who put their service "for the Lord" before their relationship "to the Lord," Mary had chosen the better part. There is a balance between waiting and serving, both are a necessary part.

Let us consider some other words in the story.
a. The number ten represents man's responsibility
to pass God's test. Our walk in this life
will be tested.
b. The light: The Holy Spirit works in the
believer. He leads us into all truth, He
enlightens us and gives illumination.
c. The lamp: The Word is a lamp (Psalms 119:105).
She had become negligent in the Word.
d. Sweeps the house: Gets things in order again.
"Beloved, having these promises let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and
spirit perfecting holiness."
e. Seek diligently: The Greek says, carefully,
relentlessly, from top to bottom. She applies
herself where she had been lazy and careless,
until she finds the coin.

The outer court is the place of salvation. This second dimension is the Holy Place, a Spirit led and controlled life.

III. The Lost Son Luke 15:11-24

The younger son has been called the prodigal, but in reality the elder brother is the prodigal. Apostasy begins in the heart, long before the fact. So it was with the younger son. People begin backsliding when their hearts have forsaken their first love.

Note the attitude of the younger son. "Give Me;" until much later when there has been repentance. He then says, "Make Me". There was a problem of relationship. He wanted to be his own master, not under the control of his father. This is an attitude found in many of God's people today.

The lack of discipline and commitment to the will of the father. Discipleship means a disciplined one. We must learn to discipline ourselves, or be disciplined. Christ demands all.

In the matter of obedience, Jesus said, "I do always the things that please my Father." There must be a coming into alignment with the Father's purposes and objectives. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. He found in David a man after God's own heart. He makes Him self available to all who desire to know Him.

The younger son wasted his inheritance, and found himself all alone in a far country. As he was feeding the swine, he came to himself and said, "I will arise and go to my father." The father eagerly waited for his son, to restore and reinstate him to the father's house.

We are being qualified for Sonship, to be placed in the Kingdom as mature sons, the Sons of the Kingdom. It is of great importance that we rightly respond to the Lord, and to His dealings to bring us into a right relationship with Him.
Rom 8:15-23.