This week’s study is the continuation of Luke chapter 15 which we started our study in verse 11 with the well-known parable of the prodigal son.
The Faithlife Study Bible give us this very good summary of this parable.
“15:11–32 Jesus again expresses His point about rejoicing over repentance, this time with a much longer parable about a wayward son. Although the basic pattern remains the same (the recovery of what is lost, leading to a celebration), the perspective changes. The primary character is not the seeker, but the lost—and unlike the sheep and the coin, the wayward son becomes found by his own choice. Consequently, this third parable—which is unique to Luke—provides a complete picture of repentance: The son rebels (vv. 12–16), returns (vv. 17–21), and is restored (vv. 22–24). This parable also has much to say about the behavior of those who view themselves as righteous, represented by the older son who refuses to join the celebration (vv. 25–30). Although Jesus explains the first two parables, the meaning of the third is summed up within the story by the rejoicing father (vv. 31–32).”
Briefly reviewing our study of last week, we learned the following points.
• This parable is the third of three parables of this chapter in Luke 15:11-32.
• The younger (prodigal) son chose to leave his father.
• We see that the location and situation of the prodigal son were not known by his father.
• From his father’s perspective the younger son was lost or his whereabouts were unknown.
• When the prodigal son had money, he chose when to leave his father, he chose where to be and what to do.
• No one went to search for him.
• The prodigal son chose on his own to return to his father.
• There was rejoicing when he returned.
• The older brother had animosity with the welcoming and celebration for his younger brother.
When reading this parable, we need to know the difference between confession of sin and repentance, even though they are closely related. The Nelson Bible dictionary gives the following definitions. “CONFESSION is an admission of sins. REPENTANCE is a turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and a turning back to God. In a more general sense, repentance means a change of mind or a feeling of remorse or regret for past conduct. True repentance is a “godly sorrow” for sin, an act of turning around and going in the opposite direction. This type of repentance leads to a fundamental change in a person’s relationship to God.
What we read about the younger son in Luke 15:17-19 NLT, is a perfect example of the two previous given definitions of how confession and repentance work together. 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.”‘
In verses 17-19 the prodigal because of his dire situation recognizes his sin. In verse 20a, we see his repentance by his actions, “So he returned home to his father.”
In verse 20b, upon the prodigal’s son return home, Jesus tells us of the immense forgiving grace in the actions of running and affection of love by his father upon his return. “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.”
It can be easy for us to overlook the significance of the father’s actions in verse 20. This is where a good study Bible and or Bible commentary will give us important cultural insight to what we are reading in this verse. Warren Wiersbe tells us the following. “In the East, old men do not run; yet the father ran to meet his son. Why? One obvious reason was his love for him and his desire to show that love. But there is something else involved. This wayward son had brought disgrace to his family and village and, according to Deuteronomy 21:18-21, he should have been stoned to death.” To be able to apply the spiritual principles of a verse to our lives, we first must have an understanding of the cultural significance, or as in this parable, how the listener then is understanding and applying what Jesus is saying in their cultural context.
Luke 15:21, “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.”
Upon meeting his father, the younger son tells him what he had previously rehearsed. Notice as in verse 18 the order of importance of who first was sinned against, “I have sinned against both heaven and you”. When we sin, we should always keep in mind this order even when we are speaking face to face to the person we offended.
Verse 21b, “…and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.” By saying this, the younger son was not wanting to say a statement that showed a form of humility. He knew after what he did, he forfeited all his rights and position as a son of the family. When the younger son demanded his inheritance from his father and left, he thought he had received what he deserved and assumed he had all that he needed to live the life he wanted. Upon returning, the younger son requested of his father something he knew he did not deserve and he received what he did not expect, his father’s love expressed by his grace and forgiveness. “In the far country, the prodigal learned the meaning of misery; but back home, he discovered the meaning of mercy.”
However, the reinstating of the rights and status of the prodigal as a son of the family, was the father’s decision alone, which was clearly seen by what he did and said in verse 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.”
What did the prodigal son do to deserve such forgiveness, restoration of status and a receive such a reception? The answer is nothing. The father gave his younger son his love, something that he previously did not recognize and or appreciate. The father never lost his love for his son. His love was demonstrated with forgiveness through grace which is, “favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that person deserves.”
Each item the son received from the father had a unique significance as the New Living Translation study Bible tells us. “The finest robe”; it affirmed the son’s role as an heir and a cherished member of the household. “Get a ring for his finger:”; A ring was a symbol of authority. Like the robe, it indicated his status as son and heir.” The “sandals for his feet”; The absence of sandals was a sign of humiliation, the putting on of sandals was the removal of his humiliation. “The father would have been fattening a calf for a banquet. The son was welcomed as a visiting dignitary.”
At this point let us not forget to whom, and why, Jesus was saying these parables in this chapter. The first verse tells us very clearly, Luke 15:1-2 NIV, 1 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
The Spirit Filled Life study Bible gives us a clear application of the older brother’s attitude to the loving actions of the father with the younger son. “The loveless attitude of the elder brother portrays the Pharisees’ claim to self-righteousness, their doctrine of salvation by achievement, and their uncharitable attitude toward repenting sinners. Just as the elder brother had no true relationship with his father, so the Pharisees have no real relationship with God.”
Luke 15:28-30, 28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
The true state of the older brother’s heart is exposed by his resentment which is the total opposite of his father’s and even his brother’s hearts as seen in their words and actions with each other. The older brother’s resentment was not only against his younger brother but also his father.
The Faithlife Study Bible gives us some additional information in relation to whom Jesus was saying these parables to. “This attitude reflects the scribes (teachers of the law) and Pharisees’ complaint about Jesus’ fellowship with sinners (v. 2). Jesus possibly intended to reflect the thinking of the scribes (teachers of the law), Pharisees, and perhaps other Jews who considered themselves righteous and were bothered by the warm welcome that Jesus gave to those they classified as sinners (vv. 1–2)”
Luke 15:31-32 NLT, 31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'”
How could what Jesus said, as it applies to the scribes (teachers of the law) and Pharisees, in these last two verses apply to us? Have we become critical to whom God loves and how He expresses love to them? Do our religious traditions and or our legalism cause us to forget that God will extend His mercy and love to whomever He will, despite the objections of those who view salvation in another way.
1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV, 15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
Pastor John
