Lk 15:11-32 The Prodigal Son

Introduction

As the gospel according to Luke unfolds, it is clear that the order in which the Evangelist recorded Christ’s parables was systematic in nature. It is well known that Christ taught in parables and focused on many things such as repentance, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. The parables preceding the prodigal son build on one another and lead to parables that focus on repentance of the lost. Further, the parable of the prodigal son is one that contains a multitude of themes. Today we will be talking about sinful living, the Father’s love, grace, mercy, and having the right attitude.

Application

Next, when considering the historical-cultural and literary contexts of this parable, it is evident that the meaning of the parable for Jesus’s original audience focused on God’s attitude towards sinners. The meaning still applies today. For instance, Jesus first depicts God as a shepherd looking for his one lost sheep (vv. 4-7), a woman searching for her one lost coin (vv. 8-10), and a father running towards his lost son (v. 20). During the course of one’s life, the Lord eagerly seeks sinners with open arms.[2] God’s forgiveness is a total forgiveness and his love for the repentant sinner is eternal. God does not show partiality (Lk. 20:21; Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 3:28).

That said, believers are saved at all different ages and stages of their lives. Many believers may find themselves reading the parable of the prodigal son and see their former selves in the younger son. The younger son was clearly reckless and sinful. He is depicted as wasting his inheritance on sinful living, essentially being a slave, and working with unclean animals (vv.13-16). The younger son was at his lowest and saw the need for help (Lk. 15:17). A believer can rest assured that true repentance leads to total acceptance from God the Father and an “absolute reversal in status.”[3] It is important to understand that God’s forgiveness is total for anyone who repents. As believers spread the gospel, it is crucial that this point be made clear to those who are hearing the good news.

Doesn’t have to be a life of debauchery. Look at the apostle Paul “If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith...” (Phil. 3:4-9)

Paul was all those things and yet he was still was not saved until he accepted Jesus Christ and his Lord and Savior.

Think about it, how many people die each day? The kind neighbor next door, the person who dedicates their life to to serve others, the coworker who always goes out of their way to cheer others up? The people in society that others deem moral, virtuous, and good. Now, how many of those people go to hell because they have not accepted the free gift of salvation? All of them. That is truth. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; NO ONE comes to the Father but through Me” (Jn 14:6). You can do every kind act and will always fall short. The truth is that Jesus is the way to eternal life; and it is ONLY through faith in Christ Jesus that a person is able to be with the Father in Heaven. The truth is that a good person who doesn’t believe in Jesus is in the same eternal state as the sinful prodigal son was prior to his repentance.

Finally, the attitude of the older son is also an aspect that can be applied to daily living. There is no doubt that some believers may judge others who have recently been saved. Perhaps the new believer’s past life was a catastrophe. However, God shows no partiality to who he forgives and saves. What then gives one the right to show partiality to a new believer? Is not God the Creator and man the creation? Humbling oneself and welcoming the new Christian into the Kingdom of God is Christlike because of the love that radiates from a sincere welcome. Rather, it should be a cause for celebration and rejoicing (vv.23-25, 27, 32).

Conclusion

Anyone here or watching who does not believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, I ask you, I urge you, I implore you, I beg you for the sake of where you spend eternity; ask Jesus into your heart today. There are no strings attached. God’s love is free and so is the gift of Salvation. There is no “right” or magical prayer to say. Because “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Rom 10:9-10).