Parable of the Lost Son
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