LK 15:17 “When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21“The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ‘ 22“But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
The parable of the lost son or prodigal son is certainly one of the most well read and well loved parables of Jesus. The parable strikes a familiar chord in all our hearts. First is because, it speaks about a topic so close to our hearts – – – -family. In our own families, we have had our own experiences of pain and sorrow; and love and forgiveness. But the real beauty of this parable lies in its proclamation of hope and restoration. It speaks powerfully of the triumph of God’s love over sin; and the victory of divine forgiveness over the evils of the human heart.
In the tradition of the new testament, Jesus used parables to reveal powerful spiritual truths. Thus, parables are commonly viewed as ordinary, everyday stories and lessons that convey spiritual truths. It’s interesting how Jesus used simple parables to unveil the deepest and most powerful principles of his kingdom. But despite the simplicity of these parables, many who heard the teachings of Jesus struggled to understand.
As we know, the parable starts with the younger son demanding for his share of his father’s inheritance. In the tradition of the Jews, this was not only an act of greed but an act of arrogance and disrespect in the highest level. According to Bible scholar, Matthew Henry, this action of the younger son implies 4 things: (1) He was tired of his father’s governance and discipline; (2) He was tired of his father’s watchful and attentive eyes; (3) He was distrustful of his father’s management of his household; and (4) He had great conceit of his own sufficiency. The bottom line was that by seeking his complete freedom from parental restraint, the younger son alienated himself from his father’s care.
What the younger son did not understand was that his father’s care and governance were the very things that preserved and sustained his very life. By seeking his separation from his father, he brought upon himself destruction. Here, Jesus begins to expose the very heart and the very root of every imaginable human misery— separation from God’s reign and God’s spiritual governance. Human life was never designed to endure and even survive apart from God. When the younger son lost all his wealth in wild living, he came face to face with the reality of nothingness. It was not long when he realized that the only way he could every rise up again was to go back home. In short, he came to his senses.
It is always a good to come to our senses. It is good to have those significant moments of realization that we don’t want to be the same anymore- – – moments when we come face to face with the reality that things can no longer continue the way they are.
What happened to the younger son was as a combination of many situations – – – but one thing is for sure, coming to our senses is not just about a sincere decision to change our ways. It is not just about waking up one day wanting to be a different person. It is only by the grace and by the sovereign design of God that these moments truly happen – — when our hearts soften; our eyes are unveiled; and our spiritual senses realize that after all that is said and done, it is only God’s relentless and undying love that we can run back to. When all our friends desert us; when all our wealth is consumed; when our reputations reach its lowest point – – – when all is gone, where do we go; and who do we turn to?
When the younger son realized his mistakes, he came home, and while he was yet far, the father saw him and ran to meet his beloved son. But most importantly, what the father truly saw was his son’s sincere and genuine repentance. This is oftentimes a neglected aspect about this beautiful parable. Coming to our senses require the most sincere and humble form of repentance on our end – – – a genuine recognition of sin; and a heartfelt desire to make things better.
God’s compassion is not cheap. It cannot be mocked. It cannot be trampled upon. God’s compassion is anchored on genuine truth, righteousness and yes, even justice. Oftentimes we forget that we cannot hide anything from the Lord’s blazing eyes. The son realized for himself that he could not come home according to his own terms and conditions. He could not come home and just do anything he wished all over. He knew things had to change. The fact was that he was even willing to become his father’s hired slave. He was so convicted of his actions that he never imagined he would be forgiven fully and completely.
There are three people who would likely to receive this message:. First, you are a prodigal. You know in your heart of hearts that you have strayed away from the Lord – – – you have a relationship with Christ, but for some reasons and issues in your life, you have backslidden and have lost sight of yourself. Today, God is calling you back home. It’s not too late. The Lord is just a heartfelt prayer away. Second, you are a prodigal but you are in denial. You still want to think you are okay, but the Lord knows and you yourself know that you are not. You still want to insist that what you are doing is harmless, and tolerable. You love the Lord, but not enough to really give the Lord everything – – – especially your complete and humble surrender. You have a heart for God, but the attraction of sin and worldly pleasures are stronger. The Lord is speaking to you today. He is inviting you to pause and look straight into the eyes of Christ – – – to realize that you can’t have a double identify. But more importantly, the Lord is ushering you to come to your senses – – – to realize that although it is never easy to be strong and steadfast and consistent, at the end of the day, it is still the best long term option. Lastly, you are not a prodigal. You are a faithful child – – – steadfast, consistent, and walking strong with the Lord. Today, the Lord wants to strengthen you more and more. The pull of the world is stronger than ever before – – – but somehow, by the grace of Jesus, you have already made your choice to follow Christ – – – whatever it takes. God have mercy on you. God grant you greater strength; and greater passion for his glory – – – so that you will find it in your heart to cling even more to the Lord— to stay put – – – to rejoice and to celebrate the joy and beauty of being – – – home. Amen!
