Section 10
could eat and be merry. What a pleasant picture this is!
In Luke 15:24 the father explains, "Because this son of mine was dead and lives again, was lost and was found! And they began to be merry." The word "dead" here is significant. All lost sin ners are dead in the sight of God (Eph. 2:1, 5). When they get saved, they are made alive (John 5:24; Col. 2:13). Luke 15:25-32 describes the conversation in this parable between the father and the older son. Verse 25 tells us that "his older son was in the field." The older son signifies the Pharisees and scribes (v. 2), representing the unbeliev ing Jews who pursue the law of righteousness (Rom. 9:31-32) by their work, signified by "in the field."
In verse 29 of Luke 15 the older son said to the father, "Look, so many years I am slaving for you, and I have never neglected a command of yours." The Greek word translated "neglected" may also be rendered "transgressed." The word "slaving" in this verse signifies slavery under the law (Gal. 5:1).
THE FATHER'S HOUSE
Luke 15:25 refers to the father's house. What