One of my all time favorite stories from scripture is in the 15th Chapter of Luke. We have all heard it. The impact of the teaching it provides is unparalleled to me.
It starts in verse 11 and is worth repeating here with some comments as we read along.
11. …A certain man had two sons: (I wonder if that was all of his sons? The fact that 2 were mentioned allows for the teaching of contrast between good choices and bad. It is what I will call a “comparison of consequence”). Verse 12 continues.
12. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he (the father) divided unto him his living. (I often wonder how much of this story was left out. Did this happen in one day? Had they been talking about the desires of his son to leave home and go out on his own for some time? Had the Father given counsel that the son chose to ignore? Perhaps the biggest question for most parents is: why did he just give him the money and let him go? Like most experienced parents, he had to know what was about to happen, right?) On to verse 13.
13. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. (Big surprise!) Verse 14 is where the rubber starts to hit the road.
14. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. (Now he realizes what his dad may have warned him of. I think a better word than “want” may be “need.” Since we need food and we need shelter, we always seem to become more motivated to remedy our situation when there is real need.) Verse 15 tells us of his effort to hang on and make it work and maybe save the embarrassment of his bad choices.
15. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into the fields to feed swine. (I think this verse is significant for a couple of reasons. The term “citizen” demotes that this was a man with status and means, just like his own father back home.) It is also significant that this citizen was not likely Jewish, because he raised swine, which were not part of the covenant people’s diet. Now this boy, who likely came from a faithful religious home, is working in a household that is not part of the covenant, and feeding pigs that his family wouldn’t eat. It is a clear representation of how far away from his upbringing and covenant life he had wandered. Verse 16 says:
16. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. (This is another significant message. He would fain means “desired” or “wanted” to eat the husks because there was nothing else. No man gave to him is what he could expect, because the devil does not support his children at the last day. He leads us down a dead end street and by the time we figure out where we are, he isn’t around to give us direction on how to return. That has to come from our own change of heart and desire to repent—and it isn’t an easy thing to do.) Verse 17 is the language I like the most.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (At this point, no one had to convince him that what he had done was a really bad idea. He came to that conclusion for himself, but in his case, he could not have done that without the experience he just suffered through. I often say that many of us only turn to God when there is no one else to turn to! This happens when our options for survival are gone, and we see clearly the situation we are in. Only then can many of us understand that we desperately need salvation. And if we have paid attention, we inherently know where it can be found. I believe that his father knew this son very well. I believe from the father’s actions that he had counseled him and taught him and warned him of possible problems. I also believe that he was the kind of son that was not going to learn this lesson in any other way, so his father cut him the check—knowing the probable outcome—then prayed for the best, and sent him on his way. Verse 18 and 19 continue:
18. I will arise and go to my father, and I will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19. And am no more worthy to be called they son: make me as one of they hired servants.
Notice here that the son’s first response to his father was going to be that he had sinned “against heaven”. He must have been clearly taught that his first allegiance and devotion was to God—then to his earthly father. He also understood that his bad choices had consequences, making him unfit to be called his Father’s “son.” This is a clear representation of his violation of what followers of Christ view as baptismal covenants, to “take upon ourselves the name of Christ.” He understood that his previous behavior was a disqualifying factor for retaining that sacred title and its privleges, hence his willingness to just be a servant.
The following verses 20-24 are—to me—one of the great scenes in all of scripture.
20. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (Did you notice that his father saw him coming from a “great way off?” How often do you think that father stood in the yard watching down the road, hoping and praying to see the son return? Then, when he saw him coming, instead of rehearsing his “I told you so” speech, he ran to meet him, fell on his neck, and kissed him. He had come to himself, and didn’t need additional scolding, just a clear reminder of the love that he had missed by going his own way, which led him away from his father’s house.)
Verse 21 repeats the son’s lines to his father that he had rehearsed to himself in the swine field. Then the story concludes with this:
22. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they begin to be merry.
I used to think, like the older brother of the prodigal that we read about in the next verses, that the father was being unjust to welcome this rebel back home. He even gave him a robe and ring, both of which are likely symbols of his status as a family member! Then it occurred to me, that the real status we gain from being in the presence of our Father is not based on how well we took care of and were responsible for our earthly goods. Our real inheritance is to be in the presence of God and to be forgiven of our poor choices and to once again be called by His name. This prodigal did not likely regain his earthly inheritance as his brother worried he might, but he regained his spiritual one. In fact, I believe that it is not uncommon for us to be willing to lose all that we have of this earth’s goods to qualify for the Lord’s final exaltation, even if —in our own bad judgment—we gave it away. Sometimes this very experience is the only one that will help us “come to ourselves.”
The metaphor continues with the realization that we are all sons and daughters of God. Many are faithfully employed and steady in their Father’s work, while some are looking for an easier and more enjoyable path. All must come to themselves in order to return their hearts to their Heavenly Father and ultimately to return to His home. I believe,especially for those prone to wander, that He is watching from a great way off, hoping for—even anticipating— that grand reunion.
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Jerry is the author of “Partners with God, Using His Teachings and Example to Raise Our Kids” and has been a guest speaker at numerous gatherings, firesides and organization events, as well as working as a facilitator for individual families.
Jerry and his wife Melanie are the parents of 12 children and currently have 13 grandchildren.