#83: The Story of the Father of Two Sons (Part 3)

Luke 15:11-32

Thank God for the insights that He has graciously granted us in the journey through this parable. Specifically, we have seen the LORD mirror our lives through this parable that we know so well as if to say to us that we may think we know the story so well, yet we scarcely understand the blueprints. Today God will be taking us further in the study. As we come towards the end of the story, we see the hallmark of it all. We will be discussing about the Father in today’s episode. Every lost soul needs a savior. The story of our salvation is not complete without the cross, and I see all that being illustrated in this story in order to make it wholesome. God bless us as we study together. Amen.

But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion on him, and ran and kissed him: Let us bear in mind that Jesus was using human illustrations to bring home a message through parables. It is very important to note that he was still a great way off; as if to say that in our coming to God in repentance, the closest we can get from it is being a great way off. This was the primary need for a savior: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Whatever man would do in order to be right with God is still short of His glory. Phil 3:3 says that for this reason we take no confidence in the flesh. I can only imagine why the returning son was still afar off; maybe because of the shame coming home in dirty rags compared to the robe he wore when he was leaving, probably one or two comments from passersby that were bringing condemnation to him, whatever may have been a reason, we see a loving Father that had compassion on a repentant son, we see a father that took the shame upon himself, he ran to where his son was to meet him. This is a picture of what God did to us through Jesus Christ and through Him, grace was instituted to bring many sons to glory-the same glory that sin made us to be short of. For the father to run through the streets, knowing that he was a wealthy man, and it is a common slogan that wealthy men do not run in public, it must have been shameful. But the father did not mind being embarrassed, he did not mind being recognized with the lost son on the streets far from the house in the eyes of many observers. The love is beyond measure. God does not demonstrate His love to us as a result of our confession, but as a result of compassion for while we were yet sinners, He died for us (Rom 5:8). He ran to us to be reconciled to us. In the previous parable of the lost sheep and coin, this was again demonstrated as we see the shepherd go out to look for the lost sheep and bringing him to the fold, again we see the woman search the whole hose to seek out the lost coin. Jesus was showing himself as the father in the parable-the mediator and engineer of our reconciliation with God.

Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son: Quickly compare verses 18&19 with verse 21. We see a different confession. The condemnation that sin brings to man that makes him think that as he is not worthy to be a son (which is true), he needs to be hired servant to have a share of God’s glory; the condemnation was arrested with Love. At this point the returning son understood the length, breadth and depth of his father’s love. He sees that the only way home is through his father’s heart. God is not welcoming you and forgiving you for you to be an outcast but for you to unmeritedly be a son.

The father throws a feast and calls for celebration: The reconciliation can only end in celebration. Why? This son was dead and is alive, he was lost and is found (not that he returned home, he was found-the father found him). The celebration is to mark a success; a win in the LORD’s camp. We also see a restoration alongside the feast-the signet ring and a robe of honor. This is yet another dimension of Love. The father does not just welcome him quietly, the son that was found is decorated for display for all to see. The ring for authority and the robe for royalty as if to say that a hired servant is not what the Lord requires, a co-heir is who He has found and brought home. There is no better reason for a celebration. Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us-that we should be called the sons of God (I John 3:1).

HYMN

1

How deep the Father’s love for me,

How vast beyond all measure,

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen one

Bring many sons to glory.

2

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished.

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished.

3

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

(By the grace of God we will be concluding the study next week. God bless you.)