[180]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST ONE SON – THE PRODIGAL SON
The third of the lost parables is the son. It is the best know. Gospel preaching has made use of this parable over and over and that is fair enough. However its greater meaning is a wayward son of the family, who entered into a sinful life, only to come back in repentance.
The poem faithfully tells the story with some embellishments. The last 4 stanzas are the conclusion and summary for all three of the parables – sheep, coin and son.
The gospel account of this parable is found in Luke 15:11-32. It begins with {{Luke 15:11-12 He said, “A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me,’ and he divided his wealth between them.”}}
I won’t write anymore because the poem is long, but to close I want to say that sons and daughters in God’s family are absolutely precious, but sometime we slip up and fall into sin. {{2 Corinthians 6:18 “and I will be a FATHER to you, and you shall be SONS and DAUGHTERS to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.”}}
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[C]. THREE THINGS LOST - ONE SON LOST – THE PRODIGAL SON
The riches of a certain man,
Were all sustained by his estate.
He had decided on a plan
To implement some later date.
Two sons he had, who made him proud;
His property to them he’d leave.
For their welfare he had allowed;
Would his estate, to them bequeath.
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The younger son did not respect
What was to be his father’s will,
But only on himself reflect,
And selfishly, would take his fill.
Then of his father did demand
His portion of inheritance.
Now his own life would he command
In full self-centred ignorance.
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In sadness did the father then
Divide his wealth between his sons.
But sadder still was that time when,
The younger left the other ones.
He gathered everything he owned;
Departed from his father’s side;
Himself, the one who was enthroned;
To rule his world, now opened wide.
=========================
He left his home and journeyed on;
In some far country he arrived.
And now that all restraints had gone,
His morals and his ethics dived.
Loose living occupied him there,
With prostitutes and drunkenness;
Engaged himself without a care,
And lived a life of wantonness.
=========================
But very soon his purse was bare;
Fair-weather friends deserted him.
His heart began to know despair,
When all his prospects there looked dim.
Soon hunger seized with vice-like grip;
There was no help from anyone.
Oh, what a way to end this trip -
With no respect, and friends - not one!
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Arose a famine, most severe,
Upon the people of that place.
Yes, hunger’s stalking caused him fear;
A stranger with a foreign race.
A job he sought at every hand,
While fighting off starvation’s claim.
A Jewish person in that land,
Could never make himself a name.
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Now to a farming citizen,
The younger son himself attached.
As nought to him had been given,
That opportunity he snatched.
Out to the fields he duly went,
A herd of swine - the overseer.
A Jewish lad to pigs was sent!
Unclean! Dishonouring career!
=========================
He watched those pigs gorge greedily;
Their bellies fill with scraps and husks.
They squealed and snuffed so selfishly,
With lifted heads to show their tusks.
Yet all the time no food he ate,
And none was given to him there.
As hunger then would not abate,
He eyed the swine food in despair.
=========================
The swine were eating happily,
The pods provided for their food.
Deep longing seized him earnestly
To snatch those pods, so awfully crude;
To fill his belly with the scraps
Rejected by the choice of man.
A deep reluctance there, perhaps,
To dine with pigs - an unclean plan!
=========================
Then realisation on him burst
As he surveyed his sorry plight,
And for his father’s house did thirst
As sorrow and remorse did bite.
Recalling that each hired slave
Was cared for well with much to eat;
This place would not become his grave;
From there, decided to retreat.
=========================
Advanced his way towards his home;
His heart convicted by his sin;
Would from that household, no more roam;
Repentance had been granted him.
The profligate was going back,
To fall down at his father’s feet.
His life had shown such great lack;
In everything, been indiscreet.
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But through those months and maybe years,
A vigil-watch his father kept.
Each day he prayed with anxious fears,
And for his son he often wept.
Endurance of a father’s love
That seeks the best in all respects,
Will demonstrate love from above;
The deepness of God’s love reflects.
=========================
But when his son was far off still,
The father recognised the lad.
Compassion set on fire his will,
And with love’s joy, was fully clad.
He ran towards his wayward son,
And met him in a strong embrace.
So through repentance, two were one;
His tender kiss meant no disgrace.
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“My father, I have sinned ‘gainst thee,
And in unworthiness stand here.
Your son no longer can I be,
A hired slave will be my peer,
A worthy son - that am I not.
Against my God, and father, too,
My sinfulness has filled my lot;
A hired slave I’ll be to you.”
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But to the slaves the father called
For action to be taken then.
A father’s purpose won’t be stalled,
As motivating love moves men.
“Bring forth the best robe that we own
And quickly clothe my son in it.
A ring, placed on his hand, alone,
Will be my seal his sonship’s fit.
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“New sandals, too, will gird his feet
To walk as my belovéd son.
Prepare the fattened calf to eat;
In merriment we’ll not be done.
For this my son, once dead, now lives;
This one, once lost, has now been found.
These gifts a father’s love now gives,
For see! My son is safe and sound.”
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One sheep was lost, one coin, a son.
Around each one a story’s spun.
But to be lost and all undone,
Is never sought by anyone.
The shepherd sought the sheep with care;
The coin was found ‘midst some despair;
The son - hard burdens had to share;
But each was sought with earnest prayer.
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The item lost, when it was found
And then returned all safe and sound,
Caused happiness to all around,
Where full rejoicing did abound.
For friends were called and neighbours too,
And more arrived to swell the queue.
Rejoicing was the theme so true;
The lost . . . now found - rejoicing grew!
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God’s Son has laid the ground work sure;
The way to God - He is the Door.
The lost to seek, save and restore,
As to Himself, the lost He’ll draw.
Then God the Father welcomes them -
The Saviour of repentant men.
Salvation from God’s love does stem,
No one can any more condemn.
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Repentance from man’s useless ways;
That binds a man with sinful craze;
Leads wonderfully to God’s praise.
In God’s forgiveness he now stays.
And angels’ voices raised on high
Rejoice for those who have come nigh;
Who for God’s mercy once did cry.
Found by God’s love, they never die.
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25 July - August, 1998 Ronald Ferguson 8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8. Rhyme is A-B-A-B-C-D-C-D except for the last 4 stanzas where it is A-A-A-A-B-B-B-B