I believe that the Lord’s most well-known parable is firstly about the father, secondly about the elder son and lastly about the younger son. We tend to reverse this order which will foster confusion if it is interpreted in this manner.
The center and circumference of this parable is the father who represents God. He alone is the one who has the estate, who shares his estate, who has compassion and celebrates his lost son’s return. The younger son has squandered his wealth in wild living and on his return trip home, it was the father seeing him from a distance ran to him, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15 verse 20. Further to this he is ringed, robed, sandaled and celebrated. Luke 15 verses 22 to 24.
But the older brother became angry and refused to go in to the party. Luke 15 verse 28. Who is the real prodigal here? Who is the real wayward son here? True, the prodigal son sinned greatly but was greatly forgiven.
The tax collectors and others of ill repute were great sinners, but they received a great Savior. Many of them sinned much but were forgiven much. The younger son is like the tax collector, but was forgiven. The older son is like the Pharisees – prideful, self righteous and unforgiven. The younger son went away to the distant country and yet repented and was forgiven. The older son lived at home but maybe his heart was in a distant country. He considered serving his father as slavery, and upon the younger son’s return he says “this son of yours”…he would not forgive him and was himself unforgiven. HE WOULD NOT GO IN.
Like the Pharisees who shut the door of Grace upon themselves and prevented others from going in, they were not forgiven either. Jesus said the tax collectors and prostitutes would enter the kingdom before them. They would go in if they truly repented. When you confess your sins and repent of them, the Father, by His Spirit runs to you. He gives you a new heart, a new status and a new life.
Will you go out and by God’s Spirit welcome others to come in to the door of Grace, which is still open? It will one day be closed. Therefore now is the day of salvation. All Christians were once prodigals, but upon repentance they were once dead and are now alive. They were once lost and are now found. Luke 15 verse 32. For Christians there will be a great celebration around the Lord’s table one day in glory. Even the angels will celebrate the glory of God when a sinner comes home.
Pastor Gary
