The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15) is rightly prized and has been precious to generations of Christians. Jesus told the story in response to the murmured complaint of the scribes and Pharisees concerning him that ‘this man welcomes sinners’. They were scandalised by the willingness of the Lord Jesus to associate with the likes of tax collectors and prostitutes.

Together with the parables of the lost coin and the lost sheep which precede it, this parable is a vindication of the Saviour’s dealings with ‘sinners’. Why shouldn’t he be determined to find what is rightfully his but has become lost? Why shouldn’t heaven rejoice over one repenting sinner?

We are meant to see the Pharisees and teachers of the law as being like the older son – resenting the way the errant brother is treated, unable to understand how the father could love him so much. The older son captures perfectly the self-righteous attitude of the Jewish leaders and scholars - indignant, even angry with his father. Hadn’t he kept all the rules, never once stepped out of line? Despite his father’s pleading (v28) he cannot bring himself to celebrate the finding of the ‘lost’ son.

But we can view the parable as an encouragement to Christians who have ‘gone away’ to come back to the Lord. Are you far away from ‘home’, snared in sin, careless towards the things of God, grown callous, seeking pleasure in the things of the world? Perhaps your conscience is beginning to disturb you, but you feel you dare not hope to be received back in the arms of God.

We can trace four steps the lost son took and which you need to take in coming back ‘home’:

1. Realise that the world’s pleasures are short-lived

This younger son had grown up with many privileges, but came to believe, as Satan persuaded Adam and Eve to believe, that he wasn’t truly free. In order to achieve freedom and fulfilment he had to shake off the ‘fetters’ of home, demand his share of his father’s inheritance and go away as far as he could into the world to seek pleasure.

Perhaps like the lost son you have squandered your Christian inheritance. You have enjoyed the stability of a Christian home, the unconditional love of parents and others. You have drawn on the kindness of many. Perhaps you have taken advantage of a fellow believer.

Before long the prodigal’s experience turned sour. The money ran out. He learned the painful lesson that in the world there was no such thing as unconditional love. Perhaps it’s time for you to admit your folly, the wrong choices you have made, and take responsibility for getting your life back on track with God.

The prodigal’s ‘wild living’ was specifically sexual indulgence (v30). This is how so many choose to express their rebellion against God, to assert their ‘independence’. You may have been guilty of sexual sins. But there is a way back to God…

 

 

2. Recall what you have been missing

The young man came to his senses (v17). No doubt his conscience was dulled as long as things were going well and there was a steady supply of money and convivial company. Only when hardship came did he wake up to his condition. Perhaps you have been away from the Lord for a long time and things have been going well. God will not allow this to continue. You know better. You were made for higher things.

The prodigal realised that even the hired men on his father’s estate were better off than he was – they must have plenty of food. ‘Here am I - the son and heir - starving to death in a strange country, far from home!’

Recall, however far you have strayed, and for however long you have been away, that you are a child of God, a co-heir with Christ of the vast estates of heaven. This is your identity now, and it always has been. You could not go on indefinitely in a God-denying lifestyle. Call to mind the time when you first came to know the Lord. Remember the sincere love of the brethren, the beauty of holy living all around you, the voice of God in his Word.

‘What peaceful hours I once enjoyed;

How sweet their memory still!

But they have left an aching void

The world can never fill.’

(William Cowper)

3. Resolve to cast yourself on the mercy of God

This young man spent time framing the right words to bring to his father: I will say to him, ‘Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men’ (vv18-19).

As the prophet Hosea urged God’s people in his day –

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God.

Your sins have been your downfall!

Take words with you and return to the LORD.

Say to him: ‘Forgive all our sins

and receive us graciously…’ (Hosea 14:1-2).

The prodigal decided upon his course of action. He knew that he deserved nothing and says so. Perhaps you too have resolved – more than once – that you need to get back to God, to his Word, and to his people. You are conscious of your sin against God and your fellow men. Things cannot go on as they are. You know what you ought to say. Don’t hesitate. Pour out you heart to God. His love is greater than you could ever imagine!

4. Return, and discover the love of God

Of course the son had always been loved by his father. But now he would discover in a new way the length, the breadth, the height and the depth. It was surprising, stupendous love. It was love that impelled the father to rush towards his returning son and embrace him with kisses before the son had a chance to express his carefully-planned statement of confession and unworthiness!

All the arrogance, the waste, the defiance – now it was as though it had never happened!

Months, perhaps years, of godless living lost in a sea of love. Such is the welcome the Father extends to undeserving sinners.

‘Thy heart still melts with tenderness,

Thine arms of love still open are

Returning sinners to receive,

That mercy they may taste, and live!’

(John Wesley)

[ Up ] [ Grace Notes The editor's task ] [ Grace Notes Jessica and Holly ] [ Grace Notes Subjected to futility ] [ Grace Magazine - Not Overcome ] [ Grace Notes Go to the Ant... ] [ Grace Notes The Archbishop We Deserve ] [ Grace Notes Jesus Christ in a Celebrity Culture ] [ Grace Notes At the Beginning of the Day ] [ Grace Notes Our Sufficiency ] [ Grace Magazine - Casting off restraint ] [ Grace Notes Christmas Burdens ] [ Grace Notes Christian Contentment ] [ Grace Notes A Moving Experience ] [ Grace Notes This Man welcomes sinners ] [ Grace Notes Providence ] [ Grace Notes Taming the Tongue ] [ Grace Notes Be Near me When I'm Dying ] [ Grace Notes What is a Christian? ] [ Ashurbanipal ] [ Grace Notes Resolving Disputes ] [ Grace Notes Bearing our Reproach ] [ Grace Notes Read the Book! ] [ Grace Notes The Safety of Christ's sheep ] [ Grace Notes Unconverted Minister ] [ When Life becomes a Nightmare ] [ Grace Notes Assembly 2004 ] [ Grace Notes Don't stop now ] [ Grace Freely Offered ] [ Grace Magazine Blessed Trinity ] [ Grace Notes What happened to Truth? ] [ At the end of the day ] [ Grace Notes The main thing ] [ Grace Notes Not of this world ] [ Fasting ]