Luke 15 has been called the lost and found department of the Bible. In it we find (1) the lost sheep that was brought home with joy, Lu 15:4-7; (2) the lost silver that was found with joy, Lu 15:8-10; and the lost son that had been a prodigal, but returned to his father's house, and was received with great joy. This parable speaks to idea of reconciliation and hope. Yet when we consider Jesus’ audience, there is a much deeper truth. Jesus shows the sinners, publicans, scribes and the pharisees what God is really like.
What is God really like? Some people think the most important question of life is “Do you believe in God?” But a more important question is “What kind of God do you believe in?” There is something worse than being an atheist - it is believing in God but having an erroneous concept of God. There are many religions in the world that present many differing pictures of God and they all may contain a little truth. A stopped clock is right twice a day, but actually a broken clock is worse than no clock at all because it gives you misleading information. You can believe in God, but if you have a false conception of God, you are no better off than an atheist. Everyone in Jesus’ audience had their own Idea. Today, Muslims, Hindu, Atheist, New Agers and the like, have their own Ideas.
Jesus Christ came to planet earth to show us exactly what God is like. In Luke 15. He shares three beautiful stories that paint a portrait of the character and nature of God. The Lost sheep shows the caring and seeking nature of God. The lost coin shows us how much God values each of us and his desire for our restoration. The complete story of ruin to restoration can be seem in the Prodigal Son Story. Jesus guides through the downward journey of the son as he moves from self-will, to selfishness, then separation to starvation. Then Jesus allows us to experience his climb from the realization, resolution, repentance to reunion.
Jesus uses this parable to show us what the Father God is really like. Our text begins with a certain man blessed with two sons. As we look at the story, let’s consider the star of the parable, The Good Father! This story speaks more of the father’s relationship with his sons than anything else. Notice the honesty and openness of their relationship. You can hear it in their communication, each member of the family knows that they are appreciated and valued. Relationship building can be challenging, but we must never underestimate the value of a good relationship. Some theologians believe Jesus was giving his take of an older circulate parable that was familiar to his audience.
This certain man of our text was indeed a blessed man. A man likes to have a son, daughters are beautiful and desirable, but a son keeps the family name intact. Normally, a daughter assumes the last name of her husband, while a son keeps the family history traceable and intact. This man had two loving, supportive and caring sons. We are not told what caused the younger son to want to leave home. His mother is not mentioned, but what we are told reveals several things about the father and their family relationship. The younger son was confident that he was free to talk to his father about anything. The boy became excited about the prospect of striking out on his own. He wanted to travel, to see the world and experience it for himself. He thought about it so much until any place seemed better than were he was.
Probably, knowing that the older brother would inherit 2/3 of the Father’s good, he felt that leaving home was the best alternative for him. Many people listening today, may’ve come to the same place, needing to leave the small town, to move to the big city, to get fresh start and take your chances someplace else. Much have been made of how disrespectful the young boy’s request was, but I really do not see any disrespect or malice in his request. I do see several valuable things about value of their relationship and the character of the father. What does Jesus want us to know about the father? First, the availability of the father!
The Good Father Was Available - Lu 15:11, 12a And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
This father and son had such a wonderful relationship that the son felt comfortable meeting with his father on this sensitive subject. The father was available, understanding and responsive. The sinners and publicans were afraid of God; the scribes and Pharisees were trying to measure to approach God on his level, but Jesus presents a God who is willing to meet us where are. Maybe this is good example to fathers today, yes, we are the bread winners, protectors, and head, maybe our sons also need us to be available. Thank God for his availability!
The Good Father Was Generous - Lu 15:12b… And he divided unto them his living. (13) And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
The father is generous and liberal without being controlling. I know the father probably would have desired better choices be made by his son, but he sees that his son has made up his mind. His son may not have learned all the lessons he will need, but the father sees some growth in him. Normally, sin makes a person selfish, they think only of themselves. They don’t just want their portion, they want all they can get! This son requested only the portion which belongs to him. Some folks spent a lifetime trying to get what belongs to others. He gathered all and made provision to leave the father’s house.
This was totally new concept, that God who has all power and authority would allow us freewill. We are free to make choices. After a few days, the boy took his journey into a far country. Soon he had wasted all his living and came to want. Want and waste are twin brothers, he who waste will soon come to want. The boy spent freely, without consideration or limits. He was extravagant and lived extravagantly. The father was generous knowing the son might make a bad choice.
The Good Father Was influential - Lu 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Fathers are always influential! Good father will have a positive influence on your children. Even though the younger son was away from home, his father’s training and influence is still guiding him. Some people allow want and hunger to make them desperate. Desperate people will do desperate things. Desperation will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay! This boy somehow, held on to his father’s teaching. Even though he is broke, bust, down and out, look what he does not do. He does not resort robbery, larceny, stealing or cheating. He does not resort to selling drugs. He does not borrow without intending to repay it. He does not consider panhandling or begging. What does he do? He finds good company! Many down and out folk spend their time with other down and out folk. Proverbs remind us, “if the blind lead the blind, they will both fall in a ditch.” He finds a citizen, a property owner who could give him a job. Today, some people would rather beg, borrow, steal, or anything other than work. The young man had been raised up working, so even in his desperate situation, he remembered the instructions of his father. He got a job! The father’s influence caused him to get a job. In the pig pen, in want and hungry, He was tempted to eat with the swine. The father influence had caused him to develop a line in his life, he would not cross. He was not raised to dine with the swine! The father’s influence caused him to remember who he was and to whom he belonged. The father’s influence caused him to take responsibility for his actions and to make some needed decisions.
We have seen that the Good Father was available, generous, and Influential, and now see the good father as forgiving.
The Good Father Was Forgiving - Lu 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
The word prodigal means extravagant, reckless, without limits. When the young man came to himself, got out of the pig pen and returned home with repentance. He is met by a father, who was always available, always generous, always influential, and now forgiving and compassionate. That this point, Jesus puts a spin on the story. The old Jewish parable said, “the father folded his arms, turn his back and ordered the son to be driven off, because that exactly what he deserved.” Jesus shows us what God is really like!
His father saw him a great way off! There was never a moment when the father was not longing for his sons return. He recognized him, had compassion on him and ran out to meet him. He fell on his neck and showered him with kisses. Every movement was an act of extravagance, totally uncustomary, and out of the ordinary. In matters of salvation, rules and regulations don’t count, so the elder runs to the younger. The savior runs towards the sinner. The father’s extravagant forgiveness unfolds with every movement; 1) the kiss means that fellowship have been restored 2) the ring means the position of authority is restored 3) the robe means his father has him covered 4) shoes means he is not a servant, but a son 5) the party means he is back in fellowship not only with the family but also the community. He experiences the full measure of the father’s mercy and grace.
Whenever that which is lost is found, or that which was dead has come to life, or when that which was out has been restored, a party is in order! Years ago, there was a bag lady in New York City who attended a preaching service at a Manhattan Rescue Mission. Afterwards in the line to receive soup, she mentioned to the preacher she was now ready to give her life to Jesus. She said, “I never knew until today that my name is in the Bible.” The preacher smiled and said, “What’s your name?” She said, “Edith. My name is Edith. And my name is in the Bible.” The preacher said, “I’m sorry ma’am but you must be mistaken. The name Edith never appears in the Bible.” She said, “Oh yes it does, you read it a few minutes ago!” He opened his Bible and she pointed her dirty finger to Luke 15:2. The preacher had been using the King James Version, and it says, “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.” She said, “There it is! Jesus receiveth sinners and Edith with them!” And indeed, the good news is Jesus does receive sinners, and Edith, and David, and Jane, and Mary, and John and anyone else who comes to Him!
CONCLUSION
We’ve seen a wonderful picture of what God is like. He is a God who regrets your rebellion, who runs when you return, and who restores you when you repent. But there are some of you today who need a different word from this parable. You aren’t the wayward son; instead you feel the pain of the father. Some of you are parents and grandparents who have prodigals in your family. Your son or daughter may be distant from you because of rebellion, a disagreement, a sinful lifestyle, a bad relationship, or they may have just walked out of your life. Whatever the reason–you feel the pain of being out of fellowship with a child or grandchild. If you are in that condition, I have a word of comfort for you today. To parents of Prodigals, I would say: (1) God understands your pain. Sometimes you want to sing the old song that says, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.” But that’s not true because God knows, and He cares. He is the suffering father in this parable. (2) Don’t jump in the pigpen to rescue them. In this parable, the father didn’t go to the pigpen and try to pull his son out. That would have been tragic. The son had to realize his own mistake. God used the pigpen to bring him to that realization. Some of you have kids in the pigpen right now and you want to run and rescue them. They must come to their own Point of Total Desperation before the seek God. (3) Let them know the door is open. Don’t go to the pigpen, but never slam the door and tell your child they are never welcome back into your home. Let them know you’ll leave the light on for them, whenever they are ready to repent. (4) Receive them when they repent. True fellowship can never be restored until your prodigal child has repented. They may return, but if they don’t repent, your problem is not solved; it’s only aggravated. So, parents of Prodigals, don’t give up!
