The parable of The Prodigal Son could be entitled, "The Two Lost Sons," but it is also about the gracious father. This story shows the comparison between two entirely different sons and it also highlights a father who is both wise and abundantly gracious.
It is interesting to reread the parable in Luke 15 and see the actions of the father even when the younger son was still at home. It must have been extremely difficult for the father to hear the son's request to receive his inheritance. Traditionally in that culture the elder son would inherit two thirds of a father's estate and the remaining son then would receive one third. This would be a huge loss to the father's livelihood and business. He would also be losing whatever productivity his younger son had contributed as well.
This story is remarkable for several reasons as we see that instead of denying the younger son's request the father grants it to him. Perhaps the father knew that such a request came from a son who would not listen to reason and the best course of action would be to let him go off into the world on his own. It also must have been a shock as the younger son was also saying in effect that he wished his father were dead so he could have his inheritance now. Both the insult and the monetary loss would have been more than most fathers would tolerate. But the father lets the younger son go.
The personal grief of losing his younger son must have also been a tremendous pain for the father to bear. But even with his loss the father chooses not to go after his son or to send a delegation in search for him. He bears the grief and must have longed for the possibility of his son's return. It is no surprise then as we see the father looking for the son from a distance, hoping against hope to have his son safely home. And when the father did see the son he ran to him to meet him along the way.
The younger son had rehearsed a speech of unconditional repentance to his father as he knew he deserved nothing on his return. And the father let the son begin the speech and confession, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son." At this point however the father interrupts the son as he heard the son's confession and full repentance. The father responds with full pardon and even more, he restores his son to his position in the family.
If it is remarkable that the father let his son have his inheritance and leave home to begin with it is even more remarkable that he forgives him and receives him back home. The father makes no secret of this as he calls for the best robe, the ring, sandals for his feet, and even the fattened calf for a feast. The son was not only restored he was celebrated over, he became the center of attention or the guest of honor for a great feast. The father celebrates in the greatest way possible.
The parable of The Prodigal Son is not only about a son that was lost and is found, it is about a son who was Spiritually dead and became alive again. The father in his wisdom let the younger son experience his limited freedom to discover his brokenness so that he would also in turn experience rebirth and repentance. The father lavished his grace and mercy upon the younger son in his return and restoration to home. This is the picture of our heavenly father as he too is seeking the lost to be found and the dead to be made alive again.
It is interesting to reread the parable in Luke 15 and see the actions of the father even when the younger son was still at home. It must have been extremely difficult for the father to hear the son's request to receive his inheritance. Traditionally in that culture the elder son would inherit two thirds of a father's estate and the remaining son then would receive one third. This would be a huge loss to the father's livelihood and business. He would also be losing whatever productivity his younger son had contributed as well.
This story is remarkable for several reasons as we see that instead of denying the younger son's request the father grants it to him. Perhaps the father knew that such a request came from a son who would not listen to reason and the best course of action would be to let him go off into the world on his own. It also must have been a shock as the younger son was also saying in effect that he wished his father were dead so he could have his inheritance now. Both the insult and the monetary loss would have been more than most fathers would tolerate. But the father lets the younger son go.
The personal grief of losing his younger son must have also been a tremendous pain for the father to bear. But even with his loss the father chooses not to go after his son or to send a delegation in search for him. He bears the grief and must have longed for the possibility of his son's return. It is no surprise then as we see the father looking for the son from a distance, hoping against hope to have his son safely home. And when the father did see the son he ran to him to meet him along the way.
The younger son had rehearsed a speech of unconditional repentance to his father as he knew he deserved nothing on his return. And the father let the son begin the speech and confession, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son." At this point however the father interrupts the son as he heard the son's confession and full repentance. The father responds with full pardon and even more, he restores his son to his position in the family.
If it is remarkable that the father let his son have his inheritance and leave home to begin with it is even more remarkable that he forgives him and receives him back home. The father makes no secret of this as he calls for the best robe, the ring, sandals for his feet, and even the fattened calf for a feast. The son was not only restored he was celebrated over, he became the center of attention or the guest of honor for a great feast. The father celebrates in the greatest way possible.
The parable of The Prodigal Son is not only about a son that was lost and is found, it is about a son who was Spiritually dead and became alive again. The father in his wisdom let the younger son experience his limited freedom to discover his brokenness so that he would also in turn experience rebirth and repentance. The father lavished his grace and mercy upon the younger son in his return and restoration to home. This is the picture of our heavenly father as he too is seeking the lost to be found and the dead to be made alive again.
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