Parable of the Prodigal Son (Morning)

Parable of the Prodigal Son Matthew Davis Parables of Christ / Luke 15:11–32 Introduction Good morning church, and Happy Fathers Day to all the Fathers or Father-like figures out there. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Luke 15:11-32, the story of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15:11–24 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. So again, happy Fathers Day, and as with mothers day, I do have to point out without us kids, there would be no fathers day… And in all seriousness, I want to thank all the fathers in our lives, whether they are our biological, step-father, or maybe another father-like figure who has played an important role in our lives. We thank you today, and we express our love to you. Fathers in our lives are responsible for teaching us how to live, how to be good, hard workers, how to think, and how to live through this life. Biblical fathers instruct us in the ways of the Lord, teach us how to rely upon Him, and point to God as the Father of all His children. As we read the story of the Prodigal today, we will see an example of the Father’s love Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:11 PM June 19, 2021. 1 for us - We will see the best example of a fatherly figure. I encourage you as we progress through the scenes to not perceive the account as a story, but as a real portrayal of each of us that are called to be Gods. As we read, we will encounter three characters who each play an important role. You would think the main character of the story is the son, but the actual main character is the father. The story is ultimately about the fathers great love of his son who recklessly abandons him and lives about his life. So as we learn the lessons contained, let us learn of the sin nature of each person (the prodigal son), the great love and forgiveness of the Father, and the caution of being false security (the older brother). So let’s dive into the parable, reading in the three chunks, the departure, the return, and the forgiveness. The Departure VV. 11-16 Luke 15:11–16 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. As we talk about the younger sons departure, we can’t help but realize the extreme selfishness and lack of concern for his treatment of others. The son appears, by all accounts, to hate his father. The home life, the rules, the structure - the younger son feels held back, down, wants to be on his own. “Rules are to keep me from enjoying life,” the young son thought. “They prohibit everything that is fun, exciting, joyful.” Look at how the son approaches the father - “give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.” - The young son wanted his inheritance, wanted what would be his when his father died. But then he wanted the father out of his life. For all intents and purposes, his father was dead to him, “just give me my inheritance and be gone from my life.” Dad’s in the room - think about this for a moment. Can you imagine hearing that from one of your children? “Dad, give me what’s mine when you die and be gone from my life.” I don’t think a child could say a more hurtful thing to a father. I don’t think a child could hurt his father in any deeper way, than to tell him he’s good for nothing more than the inheritance. I think most fathers would become angry, bitter, and I would want to say rightly so. The truth, are you ready for it? Christ gives us a clear picture of what we have all done to God. This is exactly what sin Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:11 PM June 19, 2021. 2 is like. We want it our way, in our timing, with our rules. We want to be IN CONTROL. For all purposes, to the sinner God is but dead to them. When we are lost, when we are living our own life, that is how we treat God. We enjoy the blessings, we enjoy all that He has given us, but we don’t want Him in our life. Each of us was there prior to salvation. We departed form God, we allowed our lusts, desires, to take a grip in our life. We took, as it were, our inheritance and pushed Him away from us. And the surprising part? The father divided the portions. Though hurt and wounded, he gave to the young son what would have been his. Can I say, that must have been hard. Did you know, the Law of Moses allows for such a child to be put to death? Deuteronomy 21:18–21 KJV 1900 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. In the first century church, the entire community would shun such a person, and be done with them. And here you have this father, though pained, divides up the portion and give it to the son. We again see image of the Great Father, of our God, who though pained when His creation rebels, grants us the freedom and blessing to do as we may. I know many who are stand against God, and yet they receive many temporal blessings. Each of our lives, sustained of God’s breath in our lungs is a gift, a blessing. Our efforts are frequently blessed - I know as I went off wayward, as I entered a period where God wasn’t the focus in my life, that He continued to bless me. I know that He allowed all of my success that got me to where I was. I also know He allowed my failure that eventually led me to Him. So the father in the story, like God, though hurt granted his sons request to live freely. However, as the son took hold of his freedom, he never imagined how far his desires would take him. He never imagined that his appetite would cause such recklessness. One thing led to the next, one party to the next, friend after friend, until, one day and probably not too long off, he was broke. How many of you would say that sin isn’t fun? How many would think, or even want, for me to teach that sin isn’t fun? The truth is, the sad and scary truth, is that sin is extremely fun. We all know from our own experiences that we experience pleasure in sin. However, we are told of sin, of it’s pleasures, they are only temporal. Hebrews 11:25 KJV 1900 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:11 PM June 19, 2021. 3 We have all also been there. There is great pleasure at first, but it never stops there. The one little sin leads to another, which leads to another, to a point in which, the sin is no longer thrilling. It is miserable, it is causing pain, depression, family issues, and maybe legal issues. What started fun has now brought only misery. Sin, regardless of how fun it may start, will always, and I do mean always, end in darkness. A great example of this temporal happiness leading only to darkness - Did you know the vast majority of transgender people who undergo the surgeries to change themselves end up hating what they’ve done within five years? They end up miserable, they realize it was wrong, or there are consequences, or they don’t like it. But it was great in the moment, they were celebrated, they were ‘worshipped’ as “brave.” And now, here they are, forever changed, and there is nothing they can do to go back. Not sometimes, not maybe always for some people, but you think your special, you can escape it - sin will absolutely end in darkness. That darkness may be, for some, sexual sins and addiction. For others, it may be bankruptcy (I’ve been there). Some may end up homeless, and others may have pushed everyone they cared about away. For a lot, the darkness is the literal confines of hell. And in some cases, perhaps that darkness is the lowly job of the pig feeder. Which is where we find our young son here. The pains and darkness of his recklessness set’s in. Reality is getting to him. He is broke, he has no friends, no home, no one who cares for him. He has become so desperate that he hires himself to one of the lowest jobs in Israel, feeding pigs. But in the economy, in the famine, he even finds the wages of his lowly job cannot pay for his basic necessities. Hungry, it says, he would have eaten the nasty slosh he was feeding the pigs. In such, Christ has told of each persons story as they’ve departed from Christ. Some follow a false religious system, false people, false ideologies because they provide them what they think they want. Others outright rebel, denying God, because His existence is inconvenient for them. We yet find others who believe, and yet forsake the knowledge to fulfil the lusts of the flesh. People here may currently be thriving, the sin may be fun, fulfilling. Whatever the case may be, we can describe these people as currently dead. They are lost, and if they were to die in the state, they should perish. However, short of death, even coming to the lowest point one could possibly come to, is not beyond redemption. The Return VV. 17-19 Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:11 PM June 19, 2021. 4 Luke 15:17–19 KJV 1900 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. Time goes, for an extend, we know not how long, but eventually the son begins to think about home. He begins to think about his fathers home. He begins to think about the protection, the security, the provision of his father. He begins to yearn for comfort of the father. He realizes, “If I had never departed, I would have food enough for me, I would have a bed, clean clothing, provision.” With the realizations the young son determines “I will arise and go to my father.” It wasn’t just the realization that he was in need, however, we see the sons entire attitude has changed. Rather than demand of his father to receive him back, he says, “I have sinned against you.” He says, “I have done a grave wrong, I have forsaken you, I have demanded of you everything and treated you as dead.” The son, realizing his own need, also realizes that he is unworthy of being in the family, of being the son of the father. He resolves, maybe I can just be a servant. If he would make me a servant, at least I would have provision, and the young son turns around (repentance) and heads towards home. In such, Christ teaches the realizations of each of us who have come to the foot of His cross. We have each come to the realization that we were not truly happy, or that we were in deep sin, or that we needed the love and compassion of The Father. We had to come to that realization that it was The Father we have sinned against. We’ve come to the realization that we do not deserve to be called sons or daughters of the Everlasting God. We’re filthy, we’re wretched and miserable, we don’t deserve the love or compassion. But we have also resolved to approach the throne of grace that He would take us in. The Forgiveness VV. 20-24 Luke 15:20–24 KJV 1900 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. Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:11 PM June 19, 2021. 5 Remember the main character of this story? Do you remember who that is? It is the father. Although the father has been absent the majority of the story, a thought in the back of the mind, it is he who is the subject. It is the father who has been eagerly waiting for the return of the son. It says as he was still a great way away, his father saw him. His father was waiting, he was up on the flat rooftop just looking out. Then he had compassion, and ran, and kissed him. Many would think it was the son who acted and came back, but we know from the Bible it is the Father who draws you near unto Christ. It is the Father who does the work. Sometimes through homelessness, other times through job loss, failures of other kinds, the Father will do a work to cause you to come to Christ. A note on the fathers actions, he ran. A couple things about running - men of wealth did not run back then (or today, really). In addition, wealthy wore long robes, also not great for running. In running, and falling on his neck when he got there, the father took shame. This is important. The son immediately begins to his father, “Im sorry, im sorry. I sinned against you, I’ve done great wrong. I’m not even worthy to be your son.” But the son never got to finish his rehearsed speech. The son never got to tell his father the plan to become his servant, to work for him and pay the debt. The father cuts the son off, won’t allow him to continue. And look what happens. He calls to his servant - His son, who only desired to be a servant, has the servants called on his behalf. He says, bring him the best robe (reserved the father, or highest member of the household) and put it on him. The robe, clothing him in the garments of the father. He says, put a ring on his finger, a symbol of giving him authority. And he instructs, put sandals on his feet - a symbol of being his son. What happened? Where is the punishment, the shame? The father bore it all. The father bore the expense of the sons actions, he absorbed it out of love and compassion for the son. The father took the shame, shaming himself in place of the son. Instead of punishment, repayment, shame, there is robes clothing the son, there is sonship restored, there is a feast and parties. There is great rejoicing in this home. He says, “for my son was dead, and is yet alive.” In such, Christ defines the grace and love of God towards us. That, while we were sinners, while we were off doing our own things, God never stopped loving us. God never turned His back on His creation, but He worked on behalf of the creation. He took care of it, He blessed it, nurtured it, and led His children to call upon the name of the Lord. And when we call upon the name of the Lord, He pays the debt, He absorbs the payment. Romans 5:8 KJV 1900 Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:11 PM June 19, 2021. 6 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV 1900 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Christ took the shame, hanging from a tree. Did you know the Bible said anyone who died and hung upon a tree was cursed? Christ took the curse, He took the shame on our behalf, so we could instead be clothed in righteous garments. So that we could be given the status of sons. God eagerly waits for each of us to turn to Him, and this is the reception for each one of us. God will not have you “repaying” Him. He will not have you working your debts off, or earning your way. He will have none of it. God will rather receive you, and cloth you, and bless you, and make you one of His own. To experience God is to experience one of the greatest words known to man, grace. And the feast? That will happen too. Revelation 19:7–9 KJV 1900 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Grace, then, is God’s riches at Christ’s expense. We get to experience the greatness of our God, we get to approach the throne directly, we get to be made clean and sons of The Living God because Christ paid for the debts. Before we move on, there is one more part of the story to address... Luke 15:25–32 KJV 1900 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. Notice where the son was? He was in the field, not in the house. And recognize his Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:11 PM June 19, 2021. 7 reaction? He is angry, he is bitter. He appears to be good. He appears to be well with his father, but really, while he may be near in the physical sense, he is opposite his father. He has not the heart of his father. The eldest son is too proud to receive grace. Though he has all outward appearances of being the son, he inwardly is as far away from the father as the younger was. He feels his dad owes him, for he has laboured away for him. The eldest doesn’t desire the grace of his father, but feels as if it is entitled. There is a specific person Christ has in mind when telling of the eldest son… Can you guess who? The religious. Those who on the outside make all appearances as being godly, but they have no relationship with the living God. We all know people like this, and, maybe, some of us where this person. We’ve all experienced or seen this reaction, this anger and hatred towards the world, or towards new believers. We’ve experienced the religious person who is self-entitled. The reality is, the eldest son in this story was, although by all appearances closer to the father, was the furthest away. He was just close enough to feel comfortable and not realize his own need. I do have some good news, even for that person - He is still not too far to be out of God’s reach. Summary The parable of The Prodigal Son is a short story in which Christ tells of mankind. There are three characters in the story, the sinner, who realizes his need and calls upon the name of the Lord. The sinner who is too proud to receive the grace. And God, who graciously absorbs the price of our sins, and cloths us in raiment, and feeds us, and makes us His sons. Invitation and prayer Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:11 PM June 19, 2021. 8