The Prodigal Son

Scripture

Luke 15:11–32 (KJV 1900)

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 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. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 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! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 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. 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. 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: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 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. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 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: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

This story of the Prodigal Son is well known to all of us. Its meaning and emphasis have been discussed at great length by many preacher, however if you are like me you can always use a reminder. There are several characters in this parable of Jesus and I want to discuss the story this morning from the perspective of each of the characters present.

From the Perspective of the Prodigal

First from the perspective of the prodigal. We are not told why the prodigal decided that he no longer wished to live in his fathers home so that allows us to have some degree of speculation. It is probable the the reason was a desire for independence and freedom to do as he chose without the guidance or punishment of his father. I think this desire for independence is in some ways natural, however I believe that it is a natural desire that Satan loves to exploit, to overbalance. To be independent, to take care of yourself and make your own choices I don’t believe is inherently wrong, however we naturally take this much too far. We as human being can never truly be independent for we need God constantly, and we also must depend on others. We ought not to overburden others, however those who love us do desire to help us when we need them and we really are not able to do it all on our own. God has given us a free and independant will and allows us to excercise a free choice in our lives. As children we do not have this privilege for we are not yet equipped with the ability to make proper choices. It is absolutely neccessary to excercise our free will within certain boutns or else we will find ourselves to be in deep trouble. It was from this dependence on others and the boundaries imposed by others on the prodigal from which he wished to flee.

To the prodigal the rules of the father seemed unreasonable and any action that would allow him to escape from the unreasonableness of the rule of his father was well worth the consequences. However simply leaving would not do for he had no finances. He had spent his early life working for his father without pay. His pay would be his inheritance. So he went to his father and demanded the inheritance early. He was entitled to one third of his fathers estate. the older brother always recieved a double portion meaning that the elder got two thirds to the younger ones third in the case of two sons. This division normally happened at the time or near the time of the fathers death. In this parable it is clear that this happened much earlier.

The father gave in to the request and divided his estate between the brothers. The elder stayed put but the younger left triumphantly. He headed off with his fortune to have a good time and have a good time he did. Yet this good time was short lived. It was not long at all until the money was gone. Famine was in the land and no provision for such a circumstance had been made. The prodigal found himself forced to become a servant to man of the land where he now was. It is likely that the deal made was that the prodigal would work and in return he would receive food and shelter. This arrangement did not work out at all. First of all the prodigal found himself doing the lowest of low jobs. He was sent to feed the pigs. This was not permitted according to his religion, yet he already debased himself in his lifestyle. It was not only a job that he was not morally allowed to do, but it was a job that across most cultures had long been considered a debasing job for only the worst of the servants. Pigs eat anything and in this time of famine surely the pigs were being fed even more disgusting and horrible foods than before. Yet the prodigal was so hungry that even that “food” seemed desirable to him. The famine in the land meant that he was breaking the law of his upbringing and that he was debasing himself before even the gentiles around him for no good. The man he had joined himself to was unable to feed him though he was more that willing to treat him with contempt.

This became perhaps the most important moment in the young prodigals life. It became a wake-up call. It woke him from the slumber of sin and caused him to realize his sin and foolishness before his father and before God. That horrible moment became a transformative moment in his life. He realized that even the hired servants of his father did not have to eat pig slop to survive. Even the hired servants were treated with respect. The prodigal realized the heights from which he had fallen and the depths to which he had descended and repented. He recognized his wrongness and headed back the way he had come. He had left his father in arrogance and rebellion and wealth. Now he returned in poverty, but also in humility and servitude. He prepared his speech which truly came from his heart. There was no excuse, simply an admission of guilt and foolishness and a request to simply be made a lowly servant. His inheritance as a son was gone. His relationship with his father as a son was also destroyed due to the conditions of his departure. He expected nothing of that to return. But he knew his father to be a good and merciful man. Because of this he felt that perhaps he could serve his father and try to make up for some of the wrong he had done.

As he neared home he saw a strange sight. His father was running to him. Men of stature and importance did not run in those days. It was perhaps the only time he had ever seen his father running. As his father neared him he began his speech of repentance but it was interrupted before it ever left his mouth. He never even got to ask to be made a servant for before he could his father was weeping tears of joy and kissing him. He was calling for the servants to bring the best robe, to bring a family signet ring, to bring the best sandals, and to kill the fatted calf and prepare a feast and a party. Singers and musicians were called and neighbors gathered in.

The son who was dead had returned. The prodigal never expected such a reception, not did he deserve it, nor did he ask for it. When he returned in repentance and humble servitude he was restored to sonship.

It may be that some may relate to some stage of the prodigals journey. We all do in fact for we all were prodigals at some time. Those of us who have repented of our sins have found that loving reception shown by the father. Yet some others may be early in the journey, chafing against the bit of the rules of your parents or unwilling to submit to the rule of God. This story shows how your story could go. It could also end much worse, for many prodigals never wake up, they never find it in themselves to admit their wrongdoing and repent in humility. This journey away from God too often ends without a return so I warn those at the beginning of this journey to take care. Your safe return is not guaranteed. The emptiness and worthlessness of worldly pursuits is guaranteed. The end result of being chained in sin and being debased and humiliated by who you become is guaranteed. Do not go on this journey. No joy will be found, only heartache and pain. Perhaps you are still reveling in your false freedom, not yet realizing how today's merriment is tomorrows bondage. It is certain that you will discover that your newfound freedom is in fact horrible slavery. Perhaps you find yourself in this slavery. You see no way out. Just as certain as is the bondage you find yourself in, so too is the fathers love. He who allowed you the choice to do what you would. Who did not treat you vindictively when you disregarded and dishonored him. He loves you still. Repent and return. He will forgive.

From the Perspective of the World

Yet there is another character in this story. That is the character of the world. This is a brief side-note in this narrative and so I will be brief on this point yet it is worth noting the perspective of the world here shown. The world tempts and allures and the prodigal throws himself into the temptations and allures. He tries to impress the world, and show that he is something special. Yet when the prodigal needs help there is none to help him. Instead the world eats its own. The one who they have convinced to join them with promises of fun and family becomes instead the lowest slave. So it is with the world. The temptations and allurements and promises are all empty and lead only to becoming a scorned slave. From the perspective of the world we see a complete disregard for any but each ones own self in this parable.

From the Perspective of the Father

The most important and impressive character in this story is the father. Lets discover his perspective. Of course in the parable the father represents God. He represents God’s goodness and never dying love. The son, at the moment of requesting his inheritance early probably should have been cut off from the family and perhaps even stoned. The Jewish law gave a provision that if a son was utterly rebellious and became completely unmanageable and unrepentant this case could be brought before the city council and upon finding the son to be such he was to be stoned as an example for all other children so that they would obey their parents. This certainly could have been the end of the story. This son was such a rebel, and yet the father did not give up on his son. Instead the father searched for a solution. That solution he found was that even thought the son was so far gone as to wish for the fathers early death that he still would show mercy and love. Instead of having him stoned the father allowed the son to leave. Yet he went even further. He made sure the son was provided for by giving him his entire inheritance! He withheld no blessing to this rebellious son. And when the son returned he showed the same undeserved love in an even greater degree by restoring the rebel to his former position.

Now I think we well know how this relates to God. Yet I want to look at the father as though he were an earthly father. I have no children so I cannot speak well to the idea of being a father, Yet I think in this parable we find some vital advice.

First we find no mention of anything the father did wrong, and yet his son rebelled against his father and the teachings of the father and the religious law. So often the verse about training up children in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it becomes a cudgel in the had of satan to beat down upon fathers and mothers who have wayward children. Yet in this story we have seemingly a perfect father whose son goes wayward anyway. I know that each parent of a wayward child probably has things in his memory that he wishes he had done differently and perhaps blames himself for the actions of the children. No parent has ever been perfect and God does not expect or require us to be. You are not at fault for the actions of another. Even the best raised children are born with a carnal nature that leads them into willful bondage of sin if it is not dealt with. Even good and Godly parents find that their well raised children rebel. So it is in this story. This father loved his son, which really is the main thing a parent should do. Yet even with this love the son through his own God-given free will chose to leave everything he knew to be right and live in sin.

When a child makes such a choice what is a parent supposed to do? It is a difficult question. We do not want to seem to support sin so what can we do? Each situation requires much prayer but the one constant shown in this story is that we must show love. The rebellious child aught to know that fathers house is a place of love. Somehow we must find the balance of showing love without supporting the wrongdoing. Yet here that show of love went far. The inheritance was given. Surely the father knew that it would be wasted on sin and debauchery and yet he went the extra mile to show how much he loved his son. I think this is the principle that we must hold highest. When we cannot decide what to do, err on the side of love. I am sure the town council was unimpressed by this father and his show of weakness and how it seemed to them he supported his son in his wrongdoing. I am sure the other parents were furious that he would set such a soft example. Yet is was this great act of love that allowed the son to know that returning home was an option.

I cannot imagine the pain of the father as he waited for his son to return not knowing if he ever would. Yet the joy of the father is evident when he see the son returning. Again he shows that he does not care how others view him. He runs to his son. This was an act that was considered undignified. But it was an act of love to his son. The son who had disowned his father found that father still waiting and hoping for his return every moment. The father instantly restores the son to his prior position. No conversation about what had transpired occurs. The love of the father is unconditional in this story. As soon as his son returns in repentant humility he is welcomed into the family once again and the past forgiven and forgotten.

That is how God treats us and if we are to love like God loves that is how we ought to treat others.

From the Perspective of the Brother

There is one more perspective I wish to examine this morning. It is that of the brother. The older brother always does his best to do the right thing. He is hurt by the betrayal of his younger brother. Betrayal agaisnt the father and against him. While his brother leaves and squanders everything that had been given to him, this brother continues on and works diligently for his father. When the prodigal returns and is welcomed back into the family and has a feast thrown in his honor the older brother refuses to come in. His father comes and speaks to him and here the story ends. We do not know for sure if he ever came in. He may have, but the implication is that he refused. I think there are many things to be learned from the brother and especially from his conversation with his father at the end.

Lets put ourselves in the shoes of the brother. Some may relate to this. You see others leave the way and squander the opportunity and blessings that God has given them. Yet you soldier on in the harvest field in obedience. Then you see these others return and perhaps sometimes it makes you jealous. Jealous of the attention they get from others. You have struggles and difficulties too but no one seems to care. Yet if this returned rebel stubs his toe the church gathers around. You have seen this person already damage so many and now you are “concerned” that its all just a show anyway. Just a way to get attention. You are perhaps jealous of the opportunities given to this person. Perhaps it seems like you have always been the good soldier and no one seems to notice, but now that the prodigal has returned he gets opportunities that were never given you. Maybe you feel cheated by God. This person testifies of miracles and incredible workings of God in his life and yet you hear very little from God and sometimes wonder if he really cares about you at all.

I think some of this is perfectly understandable, but I think we can learn from this story. There are two things I especially want to notice from the text. At the beginning of the Parable it says, “And he divided unto them his living.” Notice them, both sons recieved their inheritance. Now this makes the actions of the older son up until the end of the story more honorable. He too recieved his inheritance and he stayed at home and made sure his father’s hard work was not wasted. The other thing I want to notice is at the end. The reminds him of this inheritance. The older son is complaining to the father that he never recieved a party, he was never arrayed in the best robe, he certainly never recieved the fatted calf, he never even got so much as a baby goat from his father. What is the fathers response to this accusation of unfair favoritism? “And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.”

I think this answers our troubles. We forget that we have been given an inheritance by our father, and that it is not just eternal, but it is here and now. This seems to me to parallels with the verse that says, “Ye have not because ye ask not.” The older son never asked for anything and he never got anything. Yet the whole time it was all his. In this particular parable the son was not working for the father but the father for the son. He had had already bestowed upon him the inheritance and the son just forgot. He forgot that he was not just the heir to blessing, but that it was already his possession. Now this probably still leaves you unsatisfied. Yet the Bible seems clear that God does not withhold gifts. So why when we ask do we not receive? Because we ask amiss, that we may satisfy our own desires. Yet when we draw near to God and our will is lost in his, then we will find that generous and good father that Bible and this parable speaks of.

Do not be like the older brother. Angry, jealous, and forgetful that the whole time all the possessions of his father were already his.

I don’t know this morning if any of these perspectives resonated with you, but let us learn from the parable of the prodigal son. As the prodigal know that this world does not care about you and todays pleasures are tommorrows chains, but also know that the father never stops loving. All you have to do is return and he will restore. And while we cannot have the perspective of God in this parable lets do our best as parents, as friends, as people, to always err on the side of love even if others tear us down for our actions, even if it makes us look weak, lets make sure that those we love know we love them, and lets never give up on a prodigal. It may be that he is just about to come to himself and realize the foolisheness of his way. And as Christians lets not be jealous of others but lets be reminded of what has been given us and blessings already available to us. While people cause us pain and satan loves to make it seem like this life is just full of heartache and care and that God does not really answer prayer let us not let doubt or circumstance distract us from the reality that we have a good father who loves us and only wants the best for us. He feels our pain and weeps with us in our sorrow. Let us be reminded that we are already recipients of a wonderful inheritance and He is always with us and all that He has is ours. Shall we stand.