The Parables of Jesus: Coming Home

And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.  And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.  And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.  So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.  And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.  "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!  I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'  And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'  But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.  And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. - Luke 15:11‭-‬24 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

My hope is that we would not just treasure this story, but the one who it points to. Keep in mind that the subheadings were written by translators, not the original authors. With that idea, consider that this story isn't just about the prodigal son. There are two sons. This story was about both sons. Jesus was telling this parable to both the Pharisees and the sinners. Today we will cover the younger brother.

Sick of home

The younger brother demanded his inheritance. To say this means that the younger son wanted what his father had, but wanted nothing to do with his father. It is to say that he wishes his father was dead. This would strike as appalling behavior to any listener.

But even more than that, the father gives this son his share. This portrays the heart of our generous God. And the son takes this and lives a reckless life. This is what prodigal means... reckless and prolific spending. Finally, this Jewish kid ends up being a hired hand caring for pigs. Jews considered pigs to be unclean and filthy. The son was treated badly enough that he was jealous of what the pigs ate. This is a picture of rock bottom.

The son wanted all the gifts of the father, but not the father. He wanted to live his own life. And so, instead of serving his father, he ended up serving someone else who treated him poorly. So it is with us, if we will not serve God, we will become a slave to sin. Not only that, but the younger son becomes animalistic... Dehumanised. Not only do we become dehumanised, but we will often dehumanize others.

Homesick

The younger son comes to his senses through pain and suffering. It is this trial and crises that makes this son turn towards his father. So it is with us, God uses pain to shake us into reality. It brings us to our senses and turn to God.

The younger son realizes that the hired hands in his father's house are treated better than this. He rehearses what to say. He acknowledges his sin against his father. Not just that he is in a bad situation. There are no excuses, blame shifting... He requests that his father treat him as a hired hand. Maybe he thought he could make restitution.

Coming home

The father saw his younger son from far off. The father was looking for his younger son. The father runs. This is a shameful and shocking thing. Older men did not run. They wore long flowing robes. So the father would have had to pick up his robe and run in an undignified fashion. The father was undignified and shameless for the son who shamed him.

The father throws his arms around his disgraceful son. Not a word said. The son starts to apologize, but the father interrupts. He asks for the best robe, the ring, and for a party. The slaughter of the fattened calf is shocking. This was reserved for the only most important of guests.

This is unexpected. What kind of father is so prodigal on this worthless son? How can the father be so reckless with his wealth? But this is the reckless love that God has for his children. It didn't matter that the son stunk of pigs and unwise  lifestyle. In this modern day, the father took a dirty, stinky son and threw an expensive suit on him. This is the lavish, generous, and reckless love of God the Father. The son came back empty-handed and found radical acceptance and love in the arms of the father. This is the prodigal love of God.