Today, we are looking at the famous parable of Jesus: The Prodigal Son. Jesus is questioned by the religious leaders. “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’” Luke 15:1-2 (NIV). The Pharisees and the teachers of the law–these are like the theologians, the seminary professors. Both groups were upset with Jesus because He was with sinners on a regular basis. Sinners–people who knew better, who knew God’s way but ignored it. The problem was that Jesus hung around with these people.
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7 (NIV). What is repent? Jesus told 3 stories about being lost and found. Repentance is a key to the third story–the story of the rebellious younger son. “Jesus continued: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.’” Luke 15:11-12 (NIV). Basically, this son is saying: I can’t wait for you to die Dad, so give me my money now. The father could have disowned him for making this request.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.” Luke 15:13-16 (NIV). This son is a rebel. He is saying not only give me my inheritance, but he heads as far away as he could to live exactly as he wanted to get away from the father's influence. This is the picture for any one of us when we run as far from God as we can because we want to go our own way. The son hits rock bottom. He's a hired hand. His job is feeding pigs. It's a humbling painful situation. He’s run far away, he has a terrible job–he takes care of pigs, it's so bad that he's envying the pigs.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’” Luke 15:17-19 (NIV). When he came to his senses–The first step of repentance is coming to our senses. Where did this lead him? The second step of repentance is taking responsibility for his actions and the consequences. “I'm a rebel, it's my fault. I did this, I gotta go back home. So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 (NIV). The father did something unknown in that culture he ran to him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:21-24 (NIV). The sun starts his speech.But the father says there was no hope but my son is back so we're gonna have a celebration. The point to the religious leaders was: You need to understand the heart of God. Like caring about a lost lamb, a lost coin, a rebellious son. That's the story.
For us, this is the scenario about us digging out of a ditch, being in the deep weeds, and being in a mess of our own making. It is telling us about the reality of our own situation and the fear that it can never get better. It’s about the hope that it's always offered. It's about the heart and response of our God. Here are some key lessons for each of us:
NO MESS IS TOO BIG FOR TRANSFORMATION
Here’s what Jesus came to do: “But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Luke 5:32 (NIV). Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. The good news is: No one is too far from God. That's the good news. But there is some bad news. A lot of people have misconceptions about God. Their image of God is: He’s a grandpa in the sky, and if you feel bad, He's fine with you and then He takes you for ice cream. But that's not the God of the Bible. You see, if we want a life without God, He'll let us have a life without Him. If I want to go to a distant country and create my own little religion where I worship me, and I think I know best about everything, I can have it. If you wanna live your own life go for it. If you want to run your own life and have a life without God–you can do that. But…”But no, My people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want Me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.” Psalm 81:11-12 (NLT). These verses are kind of scary. If you want a life without God you can have it. It's a scary thought to think that God would leave us on our own. So here's the point: Being in the pigsty wishing you were not there, does not equal turning around and taking the long journey from the distant country and going back home. It takes repentance.
GOD ALWAYS RESPONDS WHEN WE REPENT
*That’s good news. But here’s the kicker. Remorse is not repentance. Repentance might start with remorse but it’s not the full deal. Remorse is like those TV shows where a murder suspect who committed the crime realizes that they are caught and evidence is strong and they start crying. However, they weren’t crying earlier, they weren’t turning themselves in earlier, they have remorse because they were what? Caught.
So what is repentance? Sort of a churchy word. 2 parts: (1) I take full responsibility. Responsibility for my actions and consequences. I don’t play the blame game. I don’t look in the mirror—it’s their fault. No–It’s you. Our natural response—it’s not my fault. Yes, it is my fault. (2) Turning around and coming home. Repent=turn around and go the other way. “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 (NLT). Confesses AND renounces. Read “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9-10 (NIV). We confess. I need to be forgiven. Forgive me. Purify me.
WHEN “PLAN A” IS WRECKED, GOD ALWAYS HAS A “PLAN B”
If Plan A is destroyed, like the younger brother who got no part of the inheritance after he took off. When we do disobedient things against God’s plan that put us in the pit of devastating consequences and God pulls us out of the muck and mire, even then God has a new plan for us.
But the beauty of God’s Plan B or C or D is: Amazing things happen when we follow God’s plan. We need Plan B. But God’s Plan B is way better than the world’s Plan A–I guarantee you. It’s always better.
We can be thankful today that Jesus still extends an invitation to all of us: Follow Me even when we go through failure and sin. God heals us from past failure and gives us faith to face what we are going through and going toward. Today: Jesus is waiting for you to come back home. The Father on the hill never locks the door. The question is: Will you come to your senses? Will you come home?
