Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC)
Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ
Sunday, September 6, 2015
by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter
In a Manner of Speaking: “The Prodigal Son”
Luke 15:11-32 [NET]
The scriptures tell us that on one occasion Jesus was sitting by the seashore (presumably by the Sea of Galilee) when a great multitude gathered around Him. So, He pushed off from shore in a fishing boat and sat down. Meanwhile, the crowd stood on the shore whereupon He began speaking to them in parables.
Later, His disciples asked, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” [Matthew 13:10; Mark 4:10]. The Lord replied: “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.” He continued: “I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand…For truly I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” [Matthew 13:11, 13, 17].
Jesus often spoke in parables to explain difficult matters in simplistic terms. By using common, everyday experiences people of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest, could relate with what Jesus was saying to them regarding such things as: health, wealth, and relationships. But the Lord also emphasized eternal matters such as: life and death, heaven and hell, forgiveness and condemnation.
In the Greek, the word “parable” ( - pronounced para-bu-lays) is a compound word which literally means to: “put things ‘side by side’.” Thus, a parable was a story placed alongside that of another story; an underlying story so that the two stories paralleled each other.
Did Jesus resort to using allegory as a clever ruse so as to keep things hidden? On the contrary! Jesus resorted to using parables so that the listener could better understand “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 13:11]. Walter Elwell, professor, author and Bible commentator, explained Jesus’ parables this way: “His purpose was to reveal just enough truth to raise intense curiosity, promising more if the listeners went along, but also concealing enough of the truth so that the complacent would walk away uninspired.”
Here in Luke’s account are these three collaborating parables (the “Lost Sheep”, the “Lost Coin” and the “Lost Son”), which serve to remind us that those who are lost are the very ones who do not know they are lost and need to be found!
In his study Bible, John MacArthur wrote (paraphrasing): “The parable of the ‘Prodigal Son’ is the most familiar and beloved of all of Jesus’ parables. It is also one of the longest and most detailed of the thirty-six recorded parables found in the Synoptic gospels. However, unlike most parables, this one has more than one lesson.
The prodigal son exemplifies someone who exudes genuine repentance. The older brother illustrates the wickedness of the Pharisees’ and that of their self-righteousness, prejudice, and indifference towards repentant sinners. This earthly father symbolizes the heavenly Father, who is eager to forgive, and who longs for the return of the contrite sinner. However, just like the other two parables in this chapter, the main feature is the joy of God, and the celebration that takes place in heaven when a sinner repents.”
Yes, this story leaves us with an indelible image of our heavenly Father. And one of the first things we discover in this parable is [that]: OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SHOWS INFINITE PATIENCE (repeat).
We’re not privy to what precipitated the youngest son’s desire to leave home. All we’re told is that he goes to his father and pleads for his portion of inheritance which, by all accounts, was a most unusual request!
According to ancient Jewish customs, a son’s inheritance was received only after the father had died. However, while alive a father might decide to divide his estate while retaining the income; a sort of ‘living trust’. Typically, a double portion was bequeathed to the oldest son [Deuteronomy 21:17]. But for a son to ask for his share of the inheritance while the father was alive was tantamount to saying, “Father, I wish you were dead!”
We don’t know how the father initially reacted to his son’s request. But what is important to know is that this father could rightfully have disowned his son leaving him virtually penniless. But rather than disavowing his son, this father divided his estate between his two sons, giving the youngest son his portion in money, which presumably was sizeable. And I say that because this father owned both land and livestock; requiring both servants and hired hands to tend to his vast holdings.
To have sold off a portion of his holdings must have taken several days to transpire, because in verse 13 we read: “after a few days, the younger son
gathered together all he had and left…” presumably without even saying, “Farewell”.
We’re not told how long this wayward son was absent. The rest of verse 13 simply tells us: [that he went] “…on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth with a wild lifestyle.”
But why would a father have allowed his son to venture off like this? All I know is that he was the kind of father like that of our heavenly Father. For if the truth be known, your heavenly Father loves you so much that He dare not keep you, if you have a yearning to be free from Him. The prophet Isaiah put it this way: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear” [Isaiah 59:1]. But no matter how far you stray; and no matter how far you distance yourself from Him, God will always be within earshot of where you are; for you can never, ever be out of His reach!
Which leads us to yet another discovery about our heavenly Father in that: OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SHOWS LIMITLESS CONCERN (repeat).
Sometimes, God allows us to have our little ‘temper tantrums’ as we rebelliously go our own way. But this much we do know. God’s love for you is irresistible, God’s love for you is incomprehensible, and God’s love for you is unfathomable just as it is irrefutable!
Perhaps you’re wondering, “Why didn’t the father go after his son?” The only answer I can offer you is this. Like the father in this story, your heavenly Father loves you so much that He wants you to learn from your mistakes so as not to repeat them. Then, too, God wants you to know what it’s like to be absent from Him; if only for a while.
So next we read that the son became destitute. This was further complicated when there was a severe famine in that far off land, which left him in dire straits! The only work he could find was feeding wild pigs. According to the Mosaic Law, pigs were unclean animals [Leviticus 11:2-8; Deuteronomy 14:8]. Pigs were not to be eaten, or even used for sacrifices. And so to protect themselves from defilement, Jews would not even touch a pig. So, for this son to have stooped so low as to feed these unclean animals was indeed a great humiliation! Even the Carob pods he would have gladly eaten, but they were virtually indigestible for human consumption.
But, so as not to digress, how can we be sure that our heavenly Father shows limitless concern? The answer is found towards the end of verse 20 where it says: “… But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him.”
Without having to say it, Jesus clearly infers that the father in this story could be seen each and every day anxiously waiting for his son to return home, for just as it says: “…while he was still a long way off his father saw him, and his heart went out to him.” Are we to believe that this father just happened to notice his son on this particular day while he was still a long way off? No, of course not! The lesson to be learned here is unmistakable. The father kept a vigilant eye out for his son from the day he left!
And the same can be said about our heavenly Father. For although this father and son were separated by time and distance, the wayward son was never far from his father’s thoughts and prayers. And this is ever so true of our heavenly Father who is ever vigilant, ever watchful and protective when it comes to our welfare!
But in this parable we also discover [that]: OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SHOWS ENDLESS FORGIVENESS (repeat).
In this parable the son rehearses what he will say to his father when he returns home. Both in verses 18 and 21, the son keeps rehearsing these words over and over again: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But notice that the father spoke not a word! Instead, he ran to his son, hugged him and kissed him! And this, too, speaks volumes about what godly forgiveness entails. Because when we are forgiven by Him; no words need be spoken.
Instead, the father instructs his slaves to bring this wayward son a robe and to place it on him. He then orders them to place a signet ring on his finger and to provide sandals for his feet. They then were to prepare a feast with a fattened calf in celebration of his son’s return. The father further explained to them, “…because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again - he was lost and is found!”
Keep in mind this was more than a mere gesture. By offering his son a robe, in lieu of a tunic, was a gesture normally reserved for an honored guest, or a person of royalty. The signet ring symbolized a person’s authority. Yes, this was more than a customary greeting! For by placing a signet ring on his son’s finger, the father was in effect restoring him to the title of “sonship”!
Furthermore, not only were the servants to treat his youngest son with respect, but everyone in the community who joined in the festivities were also expected to treat his son with reverence and respect; as if he had never left!
I’ll not deliberate on the resentfulness shown by the older brother. His actions spoke louder than words! It is enough for us to know that instead of embracing his younger brother, he was antagonistic towards him! Even so, the father came to him and pleaded with the older son to come join in the festivities whereupon he said: “You have always been with me and everything that I own belongs to you. But for now let us be glad; for your brother was dead, but now is alive; he was lost but now is found.”
Now, as many of you know my favorite philosopher is Yogi Berra who once said: “Objects are lost because people look for them where they are not; instead of where they are!” Rather profound don’t you think? But you see, this applies to people as well as to objects. Unfortunately, many people are lost and don’t know it!
Perhaps you, too, are lost but have failed to realize it. There’s only one way to find out. There’s only one way to be certain. You have to reach out. You have to make a plea with you heavenly Father. But this much I can tell you, our heavenly Father is patient, just as He is loving and kind. He longs to forgive you no matter where you are, and no matter what you have done! And when you do reach out to Him, He will most assuredly embrace you within the “shadow of His wings”! And when you do, heaven above will be rejoicing! So let us celebrate! For the one who was lost, has now been found!
Let us pray…
