We have all lost something of importance and or of value such as our keys or wallets, but after much effort and time searching with much relief, we finally find what we have temporary lost. In Luke chapter 15, Luke writes about three parables that Jesus told referring to this common experience of losing something, then after much diligent searching it was found. This important teaching of Jesus of these three parables His listeners then and us today can relate to.
In the first two parables of this chapter that Jesus is teaching, there is a common point in both of them, something was lost but after much effort searching, it was found and as a result there was rejoicing and celebrating with other persons. The first parable is the parable of the lost sheep, Luke 15:-3-7 and the second is, the parable of the lost coin, Luke 15:8-10.
In the third parable there are some similarities and differences with the first two parables. The younger (prodigal) son chose to leave his father. He was lost or his whereabouts were unknown from his father’s perspective. There was rejoicing when he returned, however the older brother had animosity with the welcoming and celebration for his younger brother. In addition, we see that the location and situation of the prodigal son were not known by his father. The prodigal son chose where to be and what to do. No one went to search for him and the prodigal son chose on his own to return to his father.
In these parables there are many spiritual truths about God’s love for the spiritually lost person. These truths can relate to the past about ourselves, and all of which, if applicable, should be applied first to ourselves and then to others whom we might be praying for. However, in order to recognize and possibly apply them to ourselves and or to someone else, we first must recognize what these spiritual truths are. This is done by the Holy Spirit revealing them to us when reading God’s Word as He compares what we read to our past experiences. Also discovering the many spiritual truths is done by asking the right questions. However, we must be careful not to ask questions and or add our presumptions about the verses we are studying that the verses themselves do not give us the facts. If a point or fact was important for us to know, Jesus would have said something about it.
When reading parables such as these we must be careful of assumption or spiritual fantasizing. For example, we cannot ask the question; how much money did what the younger son receive from his portion of the inheritance? We cannot put a monetary value of the younger son’s portion nor can we even say he received half of his father’s property. Jesus only stated what the younger son said and what the father did, Luke 15:12 NLT, “The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. Knowing the how much the younger son received is not the point Jesus is emphasizing. A better question or questions to ask might be, because the younger son asked for his portion of his inheritance prematurely before his father had died, what obvious spiritual condition did that display about his heart? What did the father granting his son’s request say about his love for his son? How can we relate the son’s request to ourselves? How can we relate the father’s actions to God?
Concerning what the younger son received as his inheritance, one commentator says, “According to Jewish law, an elder son received twice as much as the other sons (Deuteronomy 21:17), and a father could distribute his wealth during his lifetime if he wished. It was perfectly legal for the younger son to ask for his share of the estate and even to sell it, but it was certainly not a very loving thing on his part. It was as though he were saying to his father, I wish you were dead!” Thomas Huxley said, “A man’s worst difficulties begin when he is able to do just as he Likes.” How true!”
Verse thirteen tells us the motive of the younger son’s heart for asking for his inheritance as it is displayed by his actions, “ Luke 15:13 NLT, “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.”
How can this verse possibly apply to us? How have we spent the inheritance of our Heavenly Father like the younger son? In what ways have we turned our back on God as His son or daughter by spending or squandering the blessings or our inheritance that He has given to us on what we want and how we want to live? Is it not God who gives us our health? In what ways do we abuse our health by our bad eating habits and or lack of exercise? Is it not God who gives us our jobs which is the means of our financial sustainment? But yet we do not trust Him by being obedient to His Word with our tithes and offerings?
1 John 2:15-17 NLT, 15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
The younger son’s love for the world blinded him of his father’s love and provision for him. It was not until he had wasted all that he had received from his father and was “down and out” that he realized his father’s love and provision was better that what he thought the world had to offer. Luke 15:17-19 NLT, 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”‘
The lure and lies of the temporary pleasures that this world offers can blind a believer in Christ of truly who he is or his identity in Christ and the love of our Heavenly Father for us. It is only when we are living with God or figuratively under His roof do we actually live a life in accordance to our true identity in Christ. Ephesians 2:4-7 NLT, 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
Upon the prodigal’s son return home, we see the immense forgiving grace and love of his father. Verse twenty we see the loving reaction of forgiveness of the father upon his son’s return. 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”
Verse twenty-one is the son’s expression of his heart for forgiveness. 21 “His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.”
In verses twenty-two to twenty-four it seems that the father totally disregards the son’s words of not being worthy of being reinstated or considered as a son. That what was more important was the reinstatement of the son’s position or status as his truly love son.
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
Warren Wiersbe commentary sums up the last two verses of the first part of this parable.
“Everything the younger son had hoped to find in the far country, he discovered back home: clothes, jewelry, friends, joyful celebration, love, and assurance for the future. What made the difference? Instead of saying, “Father, give me!” he said, “Father, make me!” He was willing to be a servant! Of course, the father did not ask him to “earn” his forgiveness, because no amount of good works can save us from our sins. In the far country, the prodigal learned the meaning of misery; but back home, he discovered the meaning of mercy and love.”
Pastor John
