Introduction
The parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-24 teaches us that “the way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15), but that there is always a way back to God for the one who admits his sin and repents. The Father is always waiting for His prodigal children to come home.
The
waster
The young man in the story squandered everything for the pleasure he thought he would find in sin. He was thoughtless about his future. He thought that he had enough to provide for his every need, but when money is burning a hole in your pocket, you’ll always have friends to put out the fire. He was a waster and became a waste of space once his money ran out.
There are many today who think that they can get by without having a close relationship with Christ. They get along comfortably for a while, but the pig sty always awaits them. The choices we make determine our future. We may not be wasting money like the Prodigal Son, but are we wasting time rather than redeeming it (Ephesians 5:16)? Too many Christians think that God overlooks their worldliness and drunkenness, but the time will come when they will come to whatever senses that are not burned by the world.
The waster quickly got into bad company. Satan is on the standby ready to give us new friends as a substitute for those we forsake. Birds of a feather flock together and wasters always find companionship with other wasters, and thus waste each other. As Christians we must live differently to the world. Simply put, we ought not to fit in. Instead let us treasure our Father’s House and our brethren in Christ. Whole churches try to gain acceptance with the world by behaving ungodly, but they end up in a pig sty.
The
repentant
As he sat with the pigs, ready to eat their swill, he realised what a fool he was.
He came to his senses (:17) – See how it is possible for even the worst of sinners to make the right choices. The best decision he ever made was to admit he was wrong.
He retraced his steps (:18) – His direction was away from the filth of the world and back to where he ought to be.
He blamed himself (:18) – How often we hear people blame others for their backslidden state. He had wanted the world, now he realised he only needed his father’s house. He had everything he needed before his excursion into sin.
He was humbled (:19) – He was both proud and stubborn before he left, but the terrible experience had driven out his pride. He was willing to be a servant, anything was better than living with the pigs. He had seen sin for what it really is.
The
restored
He was restored to his rightful position in the family, not on his own merit, but by the father’s grace and mercy (:20-24). His home was the most prosperous place on earth. He was given:
A robe as a sign of honour and acceptance. When we came to Christ we were given a robe of righteousness. This robe makes us acceptable to God, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). If we do not have the garments of salvation, we do not belong to the Father.
A ring as a sign of riches. The son could again enjoy everything that the father had. He had been reduced to poverty by sin. He had returned barefoot, bruised and battered, but now he was restored.
New shoes for his feet. Now he could walk in the right path again.
Conclusion
Page created 8 April 2006