The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15)
06.14.09
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15)
(All Bible verses quoted from the New King James Version)
Two alternative names for this parable could have been “The parable of the angry elder brother” (the attitude of much of the church today) or “The parable of the Loving Father”.
Note that the son was a “SON” first before he became the “prodigal son”. This implies that Jesus was not talking about an unbeliever that comes into Christ for the first time, but about a born again believer that went out from his father’s house to live according to the desires of his unrenewed mind. As we can clearly see from this parable, when the son beat himself up and groveled in self-pity and guilt about how unworthy he was because of the sins he had committed (does this sound familiar?), his Father did not love him any less. In fact when he returned home his Father didn’t even want to listen to his confession, but simply overwhelmed him with kisses and affection flowing from His heart of Love. We sometimes forget that God has already forgiven all our sins (past present & future) 2 Cor 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them… and that He is always on the edge of ambushing us with another wave of His goodness.
This parable also illustrates that we as born again believers can live subject to the laws of this world if we live in unbelief of God’s promises. Yes God has given us precious promises in His word, but we have to believe in them to receive them. Gal 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (NKJV). This corruption refers to suffering loss in the natural realm. If we sow to the flesh we will NOT have our minds renewed, NOT walk in the promises of God (because we will persist in unbelief) and NOT live life to its fullest in our Father’s house. However, even if we do stumble into what the world sees as some HUGE sin (the prodigal son spent half his Father’s money, slept with prostitutes, and consumed all he had on his lusts) there is still grace upon grace for us from God. Rom 5:20b But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.
Like the older brother, fellow church goers may judge a backslidden Christian for the things he/she has done, but God will never judge His children, nor be angry with them ever again. Isa 54:9 For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
Just like many Christians today, the older brother, when he saw his Father showering love on a person that didn’t deserve it, he became angry and resentful. This is what being under the law does to a person. The legalists work and work their backsides off for God and think that He owes them blessings, love and approval in return. Look at the elder brother’s words in Luke 15:29 Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time. And then when God blesses someone that didn’t deserve it (“Grace” is giving someone what they don’t deserve) the legalists become angry and jealous and hate that person. Instead they should realize that none of us deserve any of it anyway, and just get over it and get happy!! Wooohooooo!!
Luke 15:25 Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. Right now, this is what’s happening in heaven. There is music and dancing in our Father’s house! It kind of makes you wonder how so many churches can be so dull, introspective, reserved, conservative and religious on Sunday mornings…
Let us therefore praise God for His grace & bask in His presence daily so that our minds will be renewed and we can be transformed into the image of His likeness. And most important of all: Don’t forget there’s a party going on in heaven! God is happy, He is in a good mood!!!
Yours in Grace
Andre van der Merwe
www.NewCovenantGrace.com
