Definition: And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important verse from Luke 15:3: “And he spake this parable unto them, saying.” Essentially, it's the beginning of a really significant story about God’s love and how He wants to protect His children. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: Jesus is telling a story about how God feels about His children – specifically, about those who are marginalized or feel neglected. Here's the breakdown: “He spake” : This means Jesus spoke. He was delivering a message. “this parable” : A parable is a story used to teach a moral lesson. It’s like a simplified version of something bigger. “unto them” : This refers to the people he's telling the story to – likely his followers, but it could be any group of people. What does the story mean ? The parable essentially says: God loves His children more than He loves anyone else. He wants to protect and care for them, just like He protects and cares for His own family. It’s a message about: God's Mercy: He shows mercy – he doesn’t treat people unfairly. Protection: God will shield His children from harm. Love: God’s love is so profound that it extends to everyone, even those who are struggling or misunderstood. In short, Jesus is telling a story about the importance of being loved and protected by God. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this parable is important? Give you a little more context about what's happening in the story?

Definition: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 15:30. It’s a really powerful and symbolic passage about love and sacrifice. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a moment of extreme generosity and sacrifice – a mother’s love for her son is so profound that she kills him to save him from a terrible, messy situation. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “But as soon as this thy son was come…” - This immediately tells us we're talking about a very serious and difficult moment. It wasn’t just any son; it was this son who had been destroying the family’s livelihood – likely through stealing or causing problems. “…which hath devoured thy living with harlots…” - This is the crucial part. "Devoured thy living" means he was a terrible, destructive person. “Harlots” are prostitutes – people involved in immoral activities. This shows how he was completely ruining everything for his family. “…thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.” - This is where it gets really significant. A "fatted calf" is a large, celebratory meal traditionally offered to God as a sign of gratitude and blessing. In this context, killing this son – who was causing so much destruction – symbolizes that the mother’s love and sacrifice were so powerful that she took his life to save her family from his awful behavior. So, what does it all mean? It's a story about: Unconditional Love: The mother’s love for her son is so great that it outweighs everything else. Sacrifice: She willingly gives up something precious – her son’s life – to save him from a terrible situation. Redemption through Suffering: The verse suggests that suffering and even death can be a pathway to true and lasting good. It's about transforming evil into goodness. In essence, it's a powerful reminder of the importance of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Do you want me to explain any part of this in more detail? For example, we could talk about: The symbolism of the fatted calf – what does it represent? The overall message of the passage – why is this story important?

Definition: And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important verse from Luke 15:31: “And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” Here's a simple explanation in plain language: Essentially, it means Jesus is always with us . Let’s unpack it a little bit further: “He said…” – This indicates a statement from Jesus. “…unto him” – This refers to a specific person, likely a servant or someone close to Jesus. “Thou art ever with me” - Jesus is saying that He’s always present and beside us. It's not just sometimes , but constantly. “and all that I have is thine” – This is the really important part! "All that I have" means everything . Jesus is offering everything He has to someone – essentially, giving it to them. The meaning behind this verse is a powerful message of love and belonging. It speaks to: Jesus’s Identity: Jesus identifies with us, making us part of His family. His Sacrifice: Jesus gave his life for us, and He's still with us in the way He loves us. Our Belonging: We are not alone; Jesus is always with us and has everything to give. It’s a profound statement about God’s love for humanity. It highlights that we are cherished and given something valuable by God. Does this verse resonate with you? Would you like me to explain any of the symbolism behind it, or perhaps explore its connection to other stories in the Bible?

Definition: It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 15:32. It’s a really powerful message about forgiveness and hope. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, the verse says: “It was right that we should celebrate and rejoice because our brother had died and was resurrected. He was lost and found, and now he is back to life!” Let's unpack that a little further: “It was meet that…” – This means it was appropriate or right for us to do something. “…we should make merry…” - This refers to feeling happy and joyful. It’s about embracing happiness and celebrating a significant event. “…and be glad…” - This is the core of the message – we are truly glad that our brother was alive again. “for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again…” - This is the key part. The brother had died (meaning he passed away), but God miraculously brought him back to life! “…and was lost, and is found.” – This describes the brother’s situation before his resurrection. He was lost – meaning he wasn't present or aware of our world. Then, God brought him back to life, and now he’s found again. The Significance: This verse is a classic illustration of God’s love and forgiveness. It shows that even when we grieve the loss of someone, God can bring them back to life and restore us to our relationship with Him. It's about hope – hope in God's power to heal and restore even our most painful losses. In a nutshell: God’s love is so powerful, it can bring even those who have died back to life! --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this verse within the larger story of Jesus's ministry?