The Parable Of The Good Father

-In my opinion both are equally valid and apply to us here no matter which is our condition.

-It is obvious here that the father was looking for his lost son to return. I can see him every morning going out to the high spot in the road, looking off in the direction the boy left in hoping to see him but nothing till one day there was a figure in the distance. The gait looked familiar, the size and shape seemed right, could it be? He did not stand so straight, his body language less haughty, less proud. Yes it was him! Love in him overflowed as he forgot his dignity as an elder man, hiking up his cloak so he could run toward his boy! Stinking pig clothes, dirty, barefoot and all he hugged and kissed his boy in joy!

Luke 15:21-24

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

-The son started his confession but never got to finish. He said all that needed to be said; the son is not a servant.

-He got a robe, and a ring (a sign of family) and shoes (for only slaves went bare foot).

-There was a party for the retuning son.

Luke 15:23-24

And bring hither the fatted calf (kept for festive occasions), and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry - denoting the exultation of the whole household: "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:10). But though the joy ran through the whole household, it was properly the father's matter. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. Now, twice his son. "He was lost" - both to his Father and to himself, lost to his Father's service and satisfaction, lost to his own dignity, peace, profit. But he "is alive again" - to all these.[ii]

Luke 15:25-28

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

-Where is the love? This son has no forgiveness in his heart towards his brother. As we have been forgiven so we should forgive:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. –Ephesians 4:32

-But no here we have that good father coming out again to entreat him.

Luke 15:29-31

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 32 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.