THE PRODIGAL SON.
Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32.
‘Horror of horrors!’ proclaimed the scribes and Pharisees. The tax-collectors and ‘sinners’ were drawing near to hear the words of Jesus!
The three parables which follow in Luke 15 show the calm response of the Master. The parables have a common theme: that of being lost and being found. Each also emphasises the rejoicing that follows restoration.
In the parable of the prodigal son, the father here has two sons, but one is over-anxious to receive his inheritance.
Here the illustration steps closest to our reality. The Father is God. The son, like Adam, has short-circuited his relationship with his father by wanting too much too soon. And while the prodigal wanders abroad, the father waits patiently at home.
A series of providences brought the younger son to his senses. Recognising his lost-ness, he returned to his father in humility. He was willing to accept the place of a servant rather than a son. And thus returning he found the father rushing out to meet him.
The joy of the father is evident in that he would not let his wayward son get beyond his words of confession. It was enough that the boy was repentant, without his debasing himself.
The best robe was brought out and given to the returning prodigal. A ring was placed on his finger, and shoes on his feet. There was a party, and merrymaking.
The scribes and Pharisees, like the elder brother, imagine themselves oh-so-righteous, and presume that they might tell the Lord what company to keep. Like some today, they cannot abide the idea of sinners being received into the fellowship of the church, and would rather remain aloof from the rejoicing that follows a man’s salvation. Their loss!
CONCLUSION: Having sent His Word (Jesus) and His Spirit, the Father awaits our return. The prodigal is not restored until he humbles himself, and throws himself upon the mercy of the father.
