Intro
The beginning of chapter 15 really sets the stage for our text this morning. It specifically mentions tax collectors and sinners drawing near to Jesus. Or in other words, those despised, looked down upon by the religious Pharisees, and I mean religious in the negative sense, that their mouths speak of God but their hearts are far from him – Isaiah 29:13. But here drawing near to Jesus are not those who would appear religious but those who would appear to have no business in their world of religion, or the “things of God”, because well… they are sinners. Seeing this, the Pharisees and scribes of course attempt to use this to undermine or diminish the person Jesus Christ. I think we can safely read into the idea that because of the company Jesus keeps, the Pharisees and scribes doubt and question him as well and whether he can be trusted or believed. That if he receives and welcomes such people as these, He must be as one of them or worse. We will see in the text, there’s no place for such thoughts, but instead Jesus shows a much different and better way.
Read Luke 15:11-32
Our story begins by introducing a man and his two sons. Specifically, in view here is the younger son. And this son has a very specific and ground shaking request. He wants his inheritance, and he wants it now. He doesn’t want to wait for the appropriate time. Essentially, he is willing to dishonor his father and his family so that he may indulge his sinful desires. He took no thought or care for the potential consequences, or the position it would put his family in financially or otherwise. All he cared about was getting what he desired, no matter the consequence. Is this not what sin does within the heart of man? It captures us in its alluring deception, and we become enslaved to it destructive demands.
Jeremiah 17:9 states it as thus, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
So, entranced by his desires, the younger son does not hesitate for long as not many days later he took all that he had and journeyed to a far-off country. His sinful passions lead him to basically cut ties with his family and distance himself far from them. Here we can see how sin separates. Sin causes separation in fellowship from those around us and of course from God.
Isaiah 59:2 states it plainly, “…your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God…” This separation is of course to the detriment of the younger son, as he squanders his wealth in what’s stated as “reckless living”. And not only that, but as timing would have it, he spent everything just in time for a severe famine to arise in that country and now he is in need. Oh, the timing here is incredible. When he had spent everything, then a severe famine hits the land. Now he is beginning to feel the weight of his sin. He is feeling the consequence of that separation he caused. And not even the people of the land who perhaps could have helped him, can afford to help him now. Now, he sees his need.
He begins to feel that desperation. So much in fact that he hires himself out to one of the citizens to feed pigs. This oozes desperation, as in the Hebrew culture, this would have signaled the lowest of the low. Pigs were unclean in every manner. They were detestable and here the young son has sunk to such a level of desperation, where he’s feeding them. And actually, even more so, that he’s longing just to eat what they ate. It doesn’t appear the young son can go much lower… and I think that’s the point Jesus is driving at here. Jesus, in the young son, is painting a picture of the lowest of the low for these Pharisees and scribes… for any of the listeners. I think he wants them to see the young son at the lowest, most detestable point. I think he wants them to think, surely with how the son was so reckless, living in his sinful passions, shaming his family, leaving to a far-off country, where he would be surrounded by pagans, that there was no way back.
But then comes a turning point, the young son came to himself it says. He came to his senses. And what did he remember? … His father’s kindness. He remembered how none of his father’s servants lacked but were cared for. He reckoned himself unworthy to be his son because of what he has done, but at least he can throw himself at his father’s mercy and be hired has a servant.
Much like what’s pictured here, Romans 2:4 tells us that it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. It was remembering his father’s kindness that causes him to turn and leads him home.
I also want to make mention of the humility found in the young sons’ heart. No doubt produced through the painful circumstances he found himself in due to his sin but what a turnaround from the prideful, demanding son that he was at the beginning. But now doesn’t dare to even presume he’s worthy to be called a son.
So, the young son journey’s home, but on his way, while he was still a long way off, somehow the father knew, felt compassion towards his son… did not wait but ran and embraced and kissed son. Just the significance here is truly overwhelming. In their culture a father responding in such a way to run out to, embrace and kiss a son, would in itself seem ridiculous and unfathomable… much less for a son who most likely shamed the family name, wasted a portion of their wealth and cut off his ties to them. What an incredible statement of forgiveness! The father rushes out to receive his son home.
The son then confesses to his father his sin and how he is no longer worthy to be called his son. Again, that humility, as he does not presume upon his father’s grace, but before he can continue any further, the father responds by instructing his servants to bring the best robe, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet, signifying that he is in fact his son. I love how it seems as though the father just blows by the sons’ little spiel. Not to downplay it, or sell short his confession. But the father, knowing his son’s repentance, as evidenced by him returning, seems to just move on in rejoicing, he doesn’t dwell there any longer, but instead calls for a celebration. His son was dead, but is alive. He was lost but now found. This is what truly mattered to the father. His son was what was of value to him. Not his possessions, not what other people might think, not even what the son had done. No, it was that his son had returned unto him. He who was once separated, but now is no longer. And so…
The fathers lavish grace supersedes the lavish sinful indulgence and wastefulness of the first son
How powerful is this grace displayed in the father.
Continuing on in our text, we now me the elder son. He appears oblivious and disconnected from all that has been going on. In fact, he calls out to one of the servants to ask what in the world is going on. Why is there music and dancing? I almost picture in my mind this stoic, crabby guy who’s like what reason could there possibly be for celebrating in such a way?
The servant tells him that it is his younger brother whom has returned that is the cause for celebration. The elder brother upon hearing this is angered. And refuses to participate.
The patient father, as with the younger son, goes out to meet him, to entreat him. The elder son pleads his case, sharing his credentials that include how he has served him for many years and never disobeyed, yet never received such a celebration. He also reminds the father of all the wrong his brother committed, and that it seems outrageous that he receives the celebration.
Now, in some ways it would appear that he has a point. But what is outrage reveals is that his heart really isn’t any different than that of the younger son in the beginning. Not really concerned about those around him but really on with himself and what he can gain. And it seems in his mind that his perceived obedience entitles him to this right. Even now at the expense of his father and brother. But graciously the father responds to his elder’s son, with the last two verses… “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. Again, what and incredible moment as the father lovingly gently reassures and reminds his elder son of what really matters. It wasn’t possessions or a name for himself. It wasn’t’ what the younger son had sinfully done. But rather the younger himself. Likewise, the father reminds him, hey, all that is mine is yours. You are free to it, you don’t have to earn it, it belongs to you. You’re my son. And that is what has value. And so we see that…
The father’s lavish grace supersedes the lavish lack of mercy of the second son
We don’t know in the story how the elder son responds but for the hearer, there is a clear indicator for how we ought to respond, and it links directly back to the Pharisees and scribes grumbling about Jesus receiving tax collectors and sinners. We, like, the father in the story and like Jesus, ought to receive any and all who would come unto God, no matter what they have done with rejoicing and celebration. This is the way of Jesus.
Main idea – the Heavenly Father’s lavish grace supersedes all kinds lavish sinners by receiving those who repent and turn to him and as a result of this, we who are also his should receive any and all that come as well
What a beautiful picture of the merciful, forgiving and abundantly gracious Heavenly Father is found here in this story. We all have had earthly fathers. I know sometimes that doesn’t paint the greatest picture. But for some, including myself it does. As you know I lost my dad 5 months ago. I am so thankful for the picture he conveyed of my Heavenly Father. No doubt imperfect but yet a powerful representation for me. And I think how incredible the news of our Heavenly Father who is much more loving to his children. Matthew 7:11 says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good thing to those who ask him.”
As we approach Father’s Day next week. Consider these things. Rejoice over these things. For you who were once lost have been found, who were once dead are alive in Christ.
A couple verses to leave you with…
Job 33:27&28 “I have perverted what is right, but I did not get what I deserved. God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.” NIV
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”