The Father Did Not Waste Time (v. 20-23).
In Receiving His Son (v.
20). The young man sets
off to see his father. Notice how the prodigal was “a great way off” when the
father noticed him. This phrase “great way off” is wonderful when one realizes
how the young man looked at this time. How did he look when he left his father?
He was probably well dressed. It is possible that he was wearing the color
purple which was used to set oneself apart of a member of high society (Luke
18:19). His hair was well kept and his body was likely free of much dirt. His
sandals were probably of the highest quality and his walk full of confidence.
Now, consider everything which this man has been through. His clothing is
likely tattered and caked in dirt. His fair and face is scraggly and filthy.
His shoes, if he had them at this point, would have been worn away. He no
longer walks with confidence but with shame. Time and stress has likely made
him look older. He no longer looked like the man he once was. Keeping that in
mind, his father saw him a “great way off” and said, “This is my son!” There’s another
thing to note from this. The father was looking a “great way off” at the time
when he saw the prodigal returning home. The father was watching and waiting
for the day that his son would come home! He was ready to receive his son.
To Reward Upon Return (v. 21-24). The son tries to give the speech which
he prepared for his father but was interrupted. “Father, I am no longer—“ “Get the best robe! Get a ring! Get some shoes!
Kill the fatted calf! MY SON HAS COME HOME!” This was not just any old robe
which was given to the son. In many homes there was a robe which was only worn
for special occasions. This was likely the robe given to the youngest child. He
was no longer in rags. The giving of the ring was a sign of affection and
authority (Gen. 41:42). Even the shoes were of grave importance. Slaves did not
wear shoes (Isaiah 20:1-4; 2 Chronicles 28:15). While it is not mentioned, the
son is likely has the dirt washed from his body. This is a picture of someone
who was fully and immediately forgiven.
God Will Not Waste Time. God is waiting for His children to come
home to Him. IT should be understood that the sins of man are a grievance to
God. “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that
every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And
it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at
his heart” (Gen. 6:5-6). “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are
sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph. 4:30). “Forty years long was I
grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their
heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they
should not enter into my rest.” (Psa. 95:10-11). While sins grieve Him, He is
ever waiting for the erring to come to them. Why does He wait for them? “For I
have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore
turn yourselves, and live ye” (Eze. 18:32). He wants mankind to have the
opportunity to come to Him in obedient faith (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). It does
not matter how we “look.” A man can be stained with sin but if he is willing to
come to God with a penitent heart which is willing to be obedient to God’s will
that man can be forgiven! God will clean us and make us white as snow. This is
something which is done immediately. One of this author’s favorite pictures of
forgiveness is found in the book of Micah. “He will turn again, he will have
compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their
sins into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:19).
The Father Loved. (v. 24).
His Once Lost Son. The father claimed his son to be dead.
That is, his son was dead to virtue but is now alive. He had wandered from
where he belonged but now had returned home. The father saw this as a need for
celebration. Why? He loved his son.
The
Father Loves when the Lost Come Home. When we allow ourselves to get so deep
into sin, we are dead. We are lost spiritually and need to find our way home.
When we humble ourselves before God and come home there is a great celebration
in Heaven. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need
no repentance…Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7, 10). Often, the
latter verse is read and people perceive that the angels are rejoicing for
those lost who become found. That is the point of verse seven. Verse ten does
not tell say the angels are rejoicing there is rejoicing “in the presence of
the angels of God.” That means God rejoices when a lost soul returns to Him.
Why? God loves us.
Is
there any who has gone off to the far away land of sin? Why not be willing to
make the trip back home.
·
Hear
God’s Word.
·
Believe
that Word.
·
Repent
of Your Sins.
·
Confess
Christ as the Son of God.
·
Be
Baptized for the Remission of Sins.
·
Live
Faithfully until Death.
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