September 19, 2021

Parable of the Lost Son

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 15:11-32
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Families often have problems
    • TV Programs about reuniting families
  • The Bible is full of stories of those who have been part for many years and then coming together
    • Example of Jacob
    • The best known story is that of the Prodigal Son
  • We have looked at the two previous parables (of the lost sheep and the lost coin)
    • First 1 in 100
    • Second 1 in 10
    • Now 1 in 2
    • This parable becomes far more personal - about a father and a son
  • Looking at:
    • Relationship between the father and the youngest son
    • Relationship between the father and the eldest son - in two weeks time
    • The Father - v17 and v18
  • Overview:
    • The Sorrow of the Father
    • The Love of the Father
    • The Joy of the Father

The Sorrow of the Father

  • The story is addressed to the pharisees and the scribes - they have criticised Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners
    • Middle Eastern culture was to do with shame and honour
      • Often families would support each other
      • It would be a terrible thing/shame for the youngest son to ask for the inheritance early
      • It was like saying your father was dead
      • The younger would inherit 1/3 - the oldest 2/3

  • Degrees of shame for his father:

    • The Father is prepared to take shame upon himself as he gives the inheritance
      • What happened in the few days between asking for the inheritance and leaving?
      • The father was wealthy - the son received a substantial amount
    • He went to a far country
      • For the pharisees to go to a far country would be to leave Israel and go into a gentile area
    • He wasted his possessions with prodigal living
      • Perhaps the father hears about this - the oldest son does (v30)
      • He lived it up until he has spent everything
  • This was all considered totally shameful - in one sense Jesus is describing the worst of sinners
    • Then a famine comes upon the land and he works for a pig farmer
      • Pigs were considered unclean
      • He longed for their food
  • He could not sink any lower
    • The parable speaks of shame
    • The parable speaks of God's mercy

  • The Son:

  • Having a fun time (or so he thought)
    • It was an empty life, a sad life
      • He begins to think of his father
  • He does not blame his situation
      • People in difficult situations can often blame God
    • He does not blame his friends
  • He recognises he has sinned
    • Against heaven and his father
  • He is humble
    • He recognises he is not worthy to be called his father's son
    • He is happy to be just a day labourer

  • The Sorrow of God:

  • This parable shows the deep sorrow in the heart of God
    • He is willing to take on the shame of sin in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Love of the Father

  • The Father is watching
    • When children rebel there is a danger of feeling animosity towards your children
  • This father looks every day for his son
    • When the son was a long way off he went to his son (v20)
  • Such extravagant love
    • He ran - noble people would not run - you had to pull up your robe in an undignified manner
    • He kisses his son - he is so thrilled to see his son
    • He orders the best robe - the pharisees philosophy was shame
    • He orders the ring - a sign of authority
    • He orders sandals - he would not be like a day labourer but a member of the household
  • The father is taking shame to himself and giving honour to his son
    • The pharisees would not understand this
  • What a wonderful picture of the gospel
    • Explanation
    • Micah 7:18-19
  • The father requires no restitution but freely offers mercy and grace
    • The father does not require his son to work from him
  • Christianity is about the free offer of grace and mercy
    • You come in your sin and seek forgiveness
    • Falling upon the mercy of God
  • Quote from the song 'When love came down'
  • The parable is preminently about the love of the father for the returning prodigal

The Joy of the Father

  • There was tremendous joy (v23-34)
  • If a son left his father
    • They often held a mock funeral
    • The town would mock him if he returned
  • None of this happened
    • There is a party
    • There is dancing and music
    • There is joy
  • How do you see God?
    • A cold despot?
    • As love
      • Yes Holy but loving sinners
      • He rejoices when sinners return to Him
      • Ps 103:3-5, 8-13
  • Do you feel you have gone too far in sin?
    • Do you feel such shame and dishonour?
    • Come to God - confess your sin and seek forgiveness
  • God will forgive you
    • There will be great rejoicing - like in this town

Closing Remarks

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