The Parable of the Lost: Part 3 (Son)

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way,”* (Isaiah 53:6a, ESV). In Isaiah’s day, some 2700 years ago, this was an indictment. Today, it is a goal. We have heard for decades that we are to be true to ourselves, follow our hearts, buck the system, stick it to the man, or other similar phrases that tell us to go our own way. It really isn’t new; while it may not have been celebrated as it is today, it was still a temptation. It’s exactly what one of the sons did in the parable of the lost son.

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” (Luke 15:11-32, ESV)

This is probably the most well-known parable that Jesus told, rivaled only by the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this parable, the youngest son basically tells his dad that since his dad is taking his dear sweet time dying, that he’d just as soon take his portion of the inheritance and start his own life. He wanted to go his own way and leave behind the life his father had for him. Of course, he goes and squanders his inheritance (which is what prodigal means – squandering) and gets himself into trouble. He has no shelter, no food, nothing. Sometimes the most loving act a father can do is to allow his child to come to an end in themselves. It is to let them go until they see the error of their way. Solomon wrote about this: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death,” (Prov. 14:12, ESV). That’s the way this young man took. It seemed so right, but nearly ended with his demise. Realizing he was alone and death was just around the corner, he also realized that he was a fool. He need only go back to his father and live as a slave. It would be humiliating, but life-saving.

We know the story; in fact, we just read the story. He goes back, his father sees from afar, runs to him, hugs him, gives him a ring, a robe, shoes, and a party. Slave!? Never! He is still a son! Most likely the clothes that the son wore were in tatters. No more! Only the best for the newly found son! Like the other two parables of the lost sheep and lost coin, a party was thrown. It was time to celebrate. It was time to eat.

The second son, hearing the festivities went and asked a servant what was happening and was told that his brother had come back. Like the Pharisees and scribes, he was incensed that his father would be eating with such a sinner (Luke 15:1). And he called him on it. The father sought to explain, just as Jesus had been doing in this and the previous two parables, but the brother refused to listen and join the festivities; he went his own way rather than his father’s way. The only thing worse than being lost is being lost and not knowing you’re lost. Because when you don’t know you’re lost, you don’t think you need to be found.

The heart of the brother, the heart of the Pharisees and scribes, was even more lost than the sheep, the coin, or the brother who went astray. None of the religious leaders could understand they were lost and in need of being found or that they too could dine with Jesus in celebration. They too could dine with sinners and rejoice with God in the finding of those lost. As Tim Chester pointed out in his book, A Meal with Jesus, “Our parties are to be a reflection—albeit a pale reflection—of God’s great banquet.”** If we have been found, then let us be party-givers as we join with Jesus to seek and find others who are lost. Let us reflect God’s love and his joy over seeking and saving those who are lost.

*If you want to hear my favorite sermon on Isaiah 53:6, click here and listen to Pastor Albert N. Martin’s message.

**Tim Chester, A Meal with Jesus, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2011), 79.

Prodigal Grace

Prodigal is often seen in a bad light as we see with the parable of the prodigal son.  We generally use the word to mean wasteful, which it generally is, but it also can and often does mean lavish.  As we read the story of the prodigal son, we see both the negative and the positive.  I am not sure why I have not ever seen the second and only the first before, but that’s how meditation tends to work.  When you think deeply on God’s Word you may in fact get more than you bargain for.  Of course, I say that knowing we must be careful not to make Scriptures say what they never intended to say in the first place.  I do not believe that my “discovery” does that at all.  If you read and disagree, by all means let me know (just do so respectfully).

Most of us will probably know the story of the prodigal son.  Jesus told the story of a son who asked his father for his share of his inheritance.  He couldn’t be bothered with waiting for his dear old dad to die, he wanted his money now.  Surprisingly his father gave it.  The son then went to town and painted it red as long as his money lasted, but when it ran out so did his supposed friends.  He was left penniless and without food.  He found a job feeding pigs–something no self-respecting Jew would do as they were unclean.  He got so hungry that he began to desire the slop the pigs ate.  Jesus said, “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!  I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.  I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.  Make me like one of your hired hands’,” (Luke 15:17-19, HCSB).

We generally use the word to mean wasteful, which it generally is, but it also can and often does mean lavish.  As we read the story of the prodigal son, we see both the negative and the positive.

That was the plan.  Go home, repent, ask to be a hired.  As he approached, his father ran to hug and kiss him, and as he began his prepared speech, the father ordered a ring, a robe, and a reception for him.  What I love is that the only part of the speech that was able to be stated was the repentance part: “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.  I’m no longer worthy to be called your son’,” (Luke 15:21, HCSB).  There is no sign of working off the debt.  While there is repentance, there is no penitence.  There was only a feast to be had.  This is prodigal grace! It is lavish grace!

Most of us would want the person to “make up” for what they’ve done to us.  We want them to prove they’re sorry.  Saying it simply isn’t enough.  Most of us would see that ingrate walking up and think in our hearts, here he comes, crawling back because he squandered his money.  He’s just wanting to use me.  Guess I’m not so loathsome to you after all.  None of that is said or felt with the father in this story.  He is simply rejoicing and lavishing grace upon the son who was dead and is now alive.  No repayment needed.

While there is repentance, there is no penitence.  There was only a feast to be had.  This is prodigal grace! It is lavish grace!

So it is with God.  We are in debt to God beyond compare.  Forget about being in debt up to our eyeballs; we’re in debt into eternity.  No amount of good works can pay for what we have done.  God isn’t asking for that either.  He’s not asking or requiring penitence.  He isn’t requiring the sacrifice. “You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering.  The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.  God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart,” (Psalm 51:16-17, HCSB).  Notice that this was the posture of the prodigal son upon his return.  But also notice that the prodigal son didn’t stay in such a posture.  Though, surprised by the prodigal grace of the father, he readily accepted it, received the ring and robe, and joined in the celebration.

Yes, we’ve sinned. Yes, we should be ashamed of it and repent of it.  But then we should accept that we have a gracious God, not just a gracious God, but a God of prodigal grace.  Receive it and relish in it.  Rejoice and celebrate that sin is forgiven and the debt is no longer held against us, those who are in Christ Jesus.  “Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1, HCSB).  However, if you are outside of Christ, you are currently outside of the celebration and so outside such prodigal grace, though invited if you will come.

Yes, we’ve sinned. Yes, we should be ashamed of it and repent of it.  But then we should accept that we have a gracious God, not just a gracious God, but a God of prodigal grace.  Receive it and relish in it.

Once again, I invite your comments.  I only ask you to be civil.  You can disagree with me and I will still publish your comments as long as they are respectful.  If you enjoyed the blog, please share it.