Lucas 15
A.T. Robertson · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 15
Robertson says "This word (repent) was the message of the Baptist, of Jesus, of Peter, of Paul, this radical change of attitude and life." Robert Stein And we need to beware of "false repentance" (no real change in one's lifestyle) which can be subtle and self-deceiving, for as Albert Barnes wisely said "False repentance dreads the consequences of sin; true repentance dreads sin itself." Notice that repents is in the present tense which means this person repents continually, as his or her lifestyle. The implication of course is that even after we have repented and believed the Gospel, we still harbor the old sin nature and sadly often sin against our Father in Heaven. And in His great mercy and lovingkindnesses which "are new every morning" (Lam 3:23), He grants us the gift of repentance and we work out our salvation by carrying out the choice of our will to repent from our sin against Him. Amazing grace indeed! Who need no repentance (metanoia) - These individuals think they need no repentance. Self-righteousness blinds one's eyes to their desperate need for God's perfect righteousness in Christ by grace through faith. Bishop Ryle offers this descriptive definition of repentance - Repentance is a thorough change of man's natural heart, upon the subject of sin. We are all born in sin. We naturally love sin. We take to sin, as soon as we can act and think—just as the bird takes to flying, and the fish takes to swimming. There never was a child that required schooling or education in order to learn deceitfulness, selfishness, passion, self-will, gluttony, pride, and foolishness. These things are not picked up from bad companions, or gradually learned by a long course of tedious instruction. They spring up of themselves, even when boys and girls are brought up alone. The seeds of them are evidently the natural product of the heart. The aptitude of all children to these evil things is an unanswerable proof of the corruption and fall of man. Now when this heart of ours is changed by the Holy Spirit, when this natural love of sin is cast out, then takes place that change which the Word of God calls "repentance." The man in whom the change is wrought is said to "repent." (Repentance) One of the best illustrations of genuine repentance is found in Paul's description of the saints at Thessalonica… For they themselves (other believers in Macedonia and Achaia) report about us (Paul, Silvanus and Timothy) what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1Th 1:9; 1:10+) C H Spurgeon in a sermon entitled The Plumbline (Amos 7:7, 8) wrote that "Side by side with that faith, God puts true repentance. When a man attempts to convert his fellow-man, he gives him a sham repentance, or perhaps he tells him that there is no need of any repentance at all. Certain preachers have been telling us, lately, that it is a very easy matter to obtain salvation, and that there is no need of repentance; or if repentance is needed, it is merely a change of mind. That is not the doctrine that our fathers used to preach, nor the doctrine that we have believed. That faith, which is not accompanied by repentance, will have to be repented of; so, whenever God builds, he builds repentance fair and square with faith. These two things go together; the man just as much regrets and grieves over the past as he sees that past obliterated by the precious blood of Jesus. He just as much hates all his sin as he believes that his sin has been all put away. (Amos 7:7-8 The Plumbline) Robert Stein has an interesting comment on repentance - “Repentance” here literally means a change of mind but refers more broadly to the human dimension involved in the experience of conversion in contrast to the divine element (regeneration)....The message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins is a central theme in Luke-Acts and must always be a central part of the gospel message.cf. Luke 4:18; 5:17–32; 24:47; Acts 5:31; 8:22 (Ed: To be sure repentance must be a personal choice, but Scripture teaches that it is a gift of God - cf Ro 2:4, Acts 3:26, Acts 11:18, Acts 5:31, 2 Ti 2:25). (See Luke: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition ) John MacArthur on the nature of repentance - Saving repentance never exists except in partnership with faith. It is impossible to have true faith in Jesus Christ apart from true repentance from sin or true repentance from sin apart from true faith. They are two sides of the same work of the Holy Spirit to convict sinners of their sin and draw them to Christ. It must be clearly understood that repentance is not a human work that earns salvation. Repentance is not a pre-salvation effort by sinners to set their lives right that God rewards by saving them. In repentance sinners recognize their dire condition (Ed: "Lost" like sheep!), acknowledge that they are unable to save themselves, and turn to Jesus Christ as the only One who can save them. Left to themselves, the unregenerate (Ed: cf the "self-righteous" Pharisees) will never come to that conclusion, since they love darkness rather than light (John 3:19), and are dead in their trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). The conviction that produces repentance is a work of the Holy Spirit, who “convict[s] the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). (See Luke Commentary) (Bolding added) Repents (3340)(metanoeo from meta = with, among + noeo = to think, exercise the mind <> from nous = mind - see study = metanoia) means to have another mind. Metanoeo means to change one's mind in respect to sin, God, and self. To turn to God and from sin (Luke 15:7 = "one sinner who repents", cf 1Th 1:9-note). Luke's uses of metanoeo - Lk. 10:13; Lk. 11:32; Lk. 13:3; Lk. 13:5; Lk. 15:7; Lk. 15:10; Lk. 16:30; Lk. 17:3; Lk. 17:4; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 8:22; Acts 17:30; Acts 26:20 Joy (5479) chara (and rejoice) is a feeling of great pleasure, of inner gladness, or of delight. Joy is an emotion evoked by a sense of well-being. It is a deep feeling of happiness and contentment. Joy in the NT is virtually always used to signify a feeling of "happiness" that is based on spiritual realities (independent of what "happens"). Joy is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behavior. Joy is not necessarily an experience that comes from favorable circumstances, but is God’s gift from His Spirit to believers. Joy is a part of God’s very essence and as discussed below His Spirit manifests this supernatural joy in His children (Galatians 5:22+, Acts 13:52+, 1 Th 1:6+).In sum, Joy is the deep-down sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who is filled with the Spirit and knows all is well between himself and the Lord. There is a chorus from an old spiritual song that is apropos…Happiness happens But joy abides Chara - 57v - Matt. 2:10; Matt. 13:20; Matt. 13:44; Matt. 25:21; Matt. 25:23; Matt. 28:8; Mk. 4:16; Lk. 1:14; Lk. 2:10; Lk. 8:13; Lk. 10:17; Lk. 15:7; Lk. 15:10; Lk. 24:41; Lk. 24:52; Jn. 3:29; Jn. 15:11; Jn. 16:20; Jn. 16:21; Jn. 16:22; Jn. 16:24; Jn. 17:13; Acts 8:8; Acts 12:14; Acts 13:52; Acts 15:3; Rom. 14:17; Rom. 15:13; Rom. 15:32; 2 Co. 1:24; 2 Co. 2:3; 2 Co. 7:4; 2 Co. 7:13; 2 Co. 8:2; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 1:4; Phil. 1:25; Phil. 2:2; Phil. 2:29; Phil. 4:1; Col. 1:11; 1 Thess. 1:6; 1 Thess. 2:19; 1 Thess. 2:20; 1 Thess. 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:4; Phlm. 1:7; Heb. 10:34; Heb. 12:2; Heb. 12:11; Heb. 13:17; Jas. 1:2; Jas. 4:9; 1 Pet. 1:8; 1 Jn. 1:4; 2 Jn. 1:12; 3 Jn. 1:4 Repentance (3341) (metanoia from meta = after + noéo = to understand) literally means "afterthought" or "to think after" and implies a change of mind. From the NT uses, it is clear that metanoia means however much more than merely a change of one's mind but also includes a complete change of heart, attitude, interest, and direction. Metanoia is a conversion in every sense of the word. Luke's uses of metanoia- Lk. 3:3; Lk. 3:8; Lk. 5:32; Lk. 15:7; Lk. 24:47; Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; Acts 13:24; Acts 19:4; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:20; See in depth comments on repentance Vance Havner wrote that Our Lord's last word to the church was not the great commission but "repent," and it is the last thing the church is willing to do. We hear much about revival, but revival is an Old Testament word. The New Testament word is "repent." I almost despair of our churches ever learning the difference between revival and evangelism. The average "revival" is mainly a drive for more members, and we already have too many of the kind that most of them are!…("Repent") was (Jesus') command to five out of seven of the churches in Asia and that proportion still holds (see notes on those 5 churches - Rev 2:5, 16, 21, 22+, Rev 3:3, 19+). Five out of seven Christians and churches today need first of all to repent. Another weakness that needs to be corrected is the present‑day accent on conversion without repentance. Do not misunderstand me here. I know that eternal life is the gift of God and that there is nothing meritorious in our tears… What I do mean is that we have made it easy for hundreds superficially to "accept Christ" without ever having faced sin and with no sense of need (Ed note: We can't put our sins behind us until we are ready to face them.). We are healing slightly the hurt of this generation, trying to treat patients who do not even know they are sick." (See also Is it biblical to ask Jesus into your heart?) ILLUSTRATION - The "R" Word - Jimmy had trouble pronouncing the letter “R” so his teacher gave him a sentence to practice at home: “Robert gave Richard a rap in the rib for roasting the rabbit so rare.” Some days later the teacher asked him to say the sentence for her. Jimmy rattled it off like this: “Bob gave Dick a poke in the side for not cooking the bunny enough.” He had evaded the letter “R.” There are a lot of people today—including Christians—who go to great lengths to avoid the “R” word of “Repentance.” Perhaps the best-known hymn describing this parable is "The Ninety and Nine" by Elizabeth C. Clephane (1868), play this hymn. Why do we not sing hymns like this today? One could even add a "beat" to make it modern! Clephane's lyrics are poignant and powerful and worthy of pondering rather than just being mouthed. Take a moment to read her poem. 1 There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold; But one was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold. Away on the mountains wild and bare; Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. 2 "Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for Thee?" But the Shepherd made answer: "This of Mine Has wandered away from Me. And although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep." 3 But none of the ransomed ever knew How deep were the waters crossed; Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through Ere He found His sheep that was lost. Out in the desert He heard its cry— Sick and helpless, and ready to die. 4 "Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way, That mark out the mountain’s track?" "They were shed for one who had gone astray Ere the Shepherd could bring him back." "Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?" "They are pierced tonight by many a thorn." 5 And all through the mountains, thunder-riven, And up from the rocky steep, There arose a glad cry to the gate of heaven, "Rejoice! I have found My sheep!" And the angels echoed around the throne, "Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!" Ira Sankey tells the story behind the hymn "The Ninety and Nine" - At the noon meeting on the second day, held at the Free Assembly Hall, the subject presented by Mr. Moody and other speakers was "The Good Shepherd." When Mr. Moody had finished speaking he called upon Dr. Bonar to say a few words. He spoke only a few minutes, but with great power, thrilling the immense audience by his fervid eloquence. At the conclusion of Dr. Bonar's words Mr. Moody turned to me with the question, "Have you a solo appropriate for this subject, with which to close the service?" I had nothing suitable in mind, and was greatly troubled to know what to do. The Twenty-third Psalm occurred to me, but this had been sung several times in the meeting. I knew that every Scotchman in the audience would join me if I sang that, so I could not possibly render this favorite psalm as a solo. At this moment I seemed to hear a voice saying: "Sing the hymn you found on the train!" But I thought this impossible, as no music had ever been written for that hymn. Again the impression came strongly upon me that I must sing the beautiful and appropriate words I had found the day before, and placing the little newspaper slip on the organ in front of me, I lifted my heart in prayer, asking God to help me so to sing that the people might hear and understand. Laying my hands upon the organ I struck the key of A flat, and began to sing. Note by note the tune was given, which has not been changed from that day to this. As the singing ceased a great sigh seemed to go up from the meeting, and I knew that the song had reached the hearts of my Scotch audience. Mr. Moody was greatly moved. Leaving the pulpit, he came down to where I was seated. Leaning over the organ, he looked at the little newspaper slip from which the song had been sung, and with tears in his eyes said: "Sankey, where did you get that hymn? I never heard the like of it in my life." I was also moved to tears and arose and replied: "Mr. Moody, that's the hymn I read to you yesterday on the train, which you did not hear." Then Mr. Moody raised his hand and pronounced the benediction, and the meeting closed. Thus "The Ninety and Nine " was born. A short time afterward I received, at Dundee, a letter from a lady who had been present at the meeting, thanking me for having sung her deceased sister's words. From correspondence that followed I learned that the author of the poem was Elizabeth C. Clephane, a resident of Melrose, Scotland, one of three sisters, all members of a refined Christian family. She was born in Edinburgh in 1830. Her sister, in describing Elizabeth, says: "She was a very quiet little child, shrinking from notice and always absorbed in books. The loss of both parents, at an early age, taught her sorrow. As she grew up she was recognized as the cleverest of the family. She was first in her class and a favorite with the teacher. Her love for poetry was a passion. Among the sick and suffering she won the name of 'My Sunbeam.' She wrote 'The Ninety and Nine' for a friend, who had it published in 'The Children's Hour.' It was copied from thence into various publications, but was comparatively little noticed. She died in 1869." (This is an excerpt - click for full story). Steven
Lucas 15
Robertson adds I have sinned "is the hard word to say and he will say it first..... I shot my bolt and I missed my aim (compare the high-handed demand in Lk 15:12-note). NET Note on sinned against heaven - The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God. Notice that the prodigal could have come back to the father and said "I am so sorry for having squandered all of my estate." But Jesus says his sorrow was not for his loss, but for his sinful actions. He admitted that what he had done was sin, specifically sin against God, the One "to Whom we must (ALL) give account." (Heb 4:13NIV-note). And in your sight - He then acknowledges his sin against his father. The NLT paraphrases it "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you." Leon Morris feels that the son "recognized that he had forfeited all claim to be treated as a son and he looked only for the possibility of being made like one of the paid servants, i.e. he would ask for a job. At least then he would get a living wage in congenial surroundings." (Borrow The Gospel According to St. Luke: An Introduction and Commentary)
Lucas 15
Robertson says that in his words we see his "Confession of the facts. He sees his own pitiful plight and is humble." Mattoon - The young man saw something that is hard to see. He saw himself. Second, he said something that is hard to say, "I have sinned." Third, he did something that is hard to do. He went home. He would be unable to return broken and defeated, unless he had conquered his pride that caused him to leave his father in the first place. Humility would also be required to say those three difficult words, "I have sinned." This young man did not have a "You Owe Me" attitude anymore. It has been replaced with an "I Am Unworthy" attitude. Beloved, we are unworthy of all that God has given to us. (Treasures from Luke) As
Lucas 15
Robertson adds "Note perfective use of kata kissed him much, kissed him again and again." Kataphileo - 6v - Matt. 26:49; Mk. 14:45; Lk. 7:38; Lk. 7:45; Lk. 15:20; Acts 20:37 Ray Pritchard - Fifth, there was resolution. “So he got up and went to his father.” After awakening comes repentance, then honesty, then humility. It all leads to the resolution to go home. That’s where you take the step. It’s certainly easy to criticize the prodigal son. But I will tell you at least one good thing about this young man. When the time came to move, he moved. He didn’t let the grass grow under his feet. So many people say, “Tomorrow I will arise and go to my father. Next week I will arise and go to my father. Next year, next day, next month. Give me some time to think about it.” Not this man. This man said, “I am going to go.” And he got up and went right then. How hard is it to come from the far country back to God? It is not hard. But the hardest step is the first step. A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. As you read these words, you may be living in the far country away from God. You need to do what this young man did—take a first step back home. The hardest step is the first step. And that’s the one that brings you half way home. "Yet a great way off He saw me, Ban to kiss me as I came; As I was, my Father loved me, Loved me in my sin and shame." "To His blessed inner chamber, Ground no other foot can tread, He has brought the lost and found one, Him who liveth, and was dead." A Father Who Runs The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10 Every day a father craned his neck to look toward the distant road, waiting for his son’s return. And every night he went to bed disappointed. But one day, a speck appeared. A lonesome silhouette stood against the crimson sky. Could that be my son? the father wondered. Then he caught sight of the familiar saunter. Yes, that has to be my son! And so while the son was “still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). It is remarkable that the family patriarch did something that was considered undignified in Middle Eastern culture—he ran to meet his son. The father was full of unbridled joy at his son’s return. The son didn’t deserve such a reception. When he had asked his father for his share of the inheritance and left home, it was as if he had wished his father dead. But despite all that the son had done to his father, he was still his son (v.24). This parable reminds me that I’m accepted by God because of His grace, not because of my merits. It assures me that I’ll never sink so deep that God’s grace can’t reach me. Our heavenly Father is waiting to run to us with open arms. We deserve punishment and get forgiveness; we deserve God’s wrath and get God’s love. —Philip Yancey The Beauty Of Forgiveness When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran . . . and kissed him. —Luke 15:20 What started out as a collection has grown into a ministry opportunity for Larry and Mary Gerbens. For the past 10 years they’ve been collecting artistic works based on the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15. Their collection includes a painting by Rembrandt and a number of items by other artists depicting this story. The Gerbens wanted to share their collection, so they put it on display at a local college. Larry said, “The artists have ministered to us, and we hope their work will minister to others.” As I wandered through the displays, I was touched by the deep need of the prodigal, his honest repentance, and the beautiful forgiveness of the father portrayed in the variety of art pieces—paintings, etchings, engravings, glasswork, sketches, and silk screens. We have all been like the son in this story, who had other plans for his life than what his father had for him. We have all run away from our heavenly Father (Rom. 3:10-12). But He welcomes us when we come to Him. O Lord, I now admit my guilt, And I accept Your grace; Transform my life and help me grow Until I see Your face. —Hess When God forgives, He removes the sin and restores the soul. Open Arms When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. —Luke 15:20 At the funeral of former US First Lady Betty Ford, her son Steven said, “She was the one with the love and the comfort, and she was the first one there to put her arms around you. Nineteen years ago when I went through my alcoholism, my mother . . . gave me one of the greatest gifts, and that was how to surrender to God, and to accept the grace of God in my life. And truly in her arms I felt like the prodigal son coming home, and I felt God’s love through her. And that was a good gift.” Jesus’ parable about a young man who asked for and squandered his inheritance and then in humiliation returned home leaves us amazed at his father’s response: “When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). Instead of a lecture or punishment, the father expressed love and forgiveness by giving him a party. Why? Because “this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (v.24). Steven Ford concluded his tribute with the words, “Thank you, Mom, for loving us, loving your husband, loving us kids, loving the nation, with the heart of God.” Lord, help me be kind and forgiving— Your loving forgiveness You’ve shown To me for the sins I’ve committed; Lord, grant me a love like Your own. —Anon. Forgiven sinners know love and show love. Luke 15:21 "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' KJV Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Father Lk 15:18,19; Jer 3:13; Ezek 16:63; Ro 2:4 I have sinned against heaven and in your sight Ps 51:4; 143:2; 1 Co 8:12 Luke 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 15:11-32 The Tale of Two Sons - John MacArthur Luke 15:17-21 The Tale of Two Sons - Part 2 - John MacArthur THE PRODIGAL SON'S CONFESSION And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned (hamartano) against heaven and in your sight - He did not say "If I offended you," but addressed his sin head on "I have sinned." Against heaven means against God (See preceding comments) In your sight means against you (against the father). Mattoon explains that "This is the meaning of the word "confession." It is from the Greek word homologeo which means "to say the same thing as another; to agree with." When we confess our sin to God or our offenses toward others, we are agreeing with them about what we did wrong. When we confess to the Lord, we find His forgiveness. If we are unwilling to confess our faults, then we will continue to struggle. John writes "If we confess (homologeo in the present tense = as our lifestyle!) our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9+) In Proverbs we read "He who conceals his transgressions (refusing to acknowledge them in confession, perhaps rationalizing them away.) will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes (~repents of) them will find compassion. (Pr 28:13+) Notice that when we compare to the speech he had rehearsed earlier, he omitted "make me as one of your hired men." Why? because he recognized the father's welcome was one of restoration and reconciliation, and he would not have to attempt to work in an attempt (futile) to merit such a welcome. The father had granted it independent of the son's merits (really demerits in this case). As John
Lucas 15
Robertson - Kill (thusate). Not as a sacrifice (Ed: Thuo often used to kill something as a sacrificial offering), but for the feast. Mattoon - The father and servants rejoice in the arrival of this young man. They rejoice over this reunion, his repentance, and his restoration with the family. His escape from the pig pen is something worth celebrating. Your escape is worth celebrating, too. We are reminded here that there is hope for the repentant sinner, no matter how far away he has drifted from God. Our Lord is a master at helping us get back on our spiritual feet and helping us to get a new start. Jonah drifted from God's plan. When he got right with God, Jonah 3:1 states that the word of the Lord came unto Jonah a second time. Thank God for second, third, and fourth chances. (Treasures from Luke) Fattened (4618)(siteutos from siteuo = to feed or fatten with grain from sitos = grain - wheat or corn) is an adjective describing a calf that was raised with special care specifically for consumption at feasts. Only 3 uses in the NT - Lk 15:23, 27, 30. Siteutos - 4x in 4v in the Septuagint - Jdg. 6:25; Jdg. 6:28; 1 Ki. 4:23 (used literally of "fattened fowl"); Jer. 46:21 has a figurative use describing the paid mercenaries of Egypt as “like fattened calves” because they are on the verge of being slaughtered.