Lucas 15
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 15
Wiersbe - Jesus saw what these “sinners” really were: lost sheep who needed a shepherd; lost coins that had value and needed to be put into circulation; lost sons who needed to be in fellowship with the Father. (Borrow Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament)
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Wiersbe has an interesting comment - The necklace of ten coins was a headband that signified that a woman was married. To lose one of the coins would be to ruin the necklace and embarrass the woman. Like that coin, sinners bear the imprint of the image of God and are valuable (20:24–25); but they are lost and “out of circulation.” When found, sinners are once again useful and able to serve the Lord. (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24) Someone has written that a drachma was worth in the range of 16-20 cents! And that was their daily wage! As several commentators suggest it may have been that the woman's 10 coins were also part of her dowry, which would contribute to her motivation to search with such an intensity. Robert Stein has a different take writing "The exact value of such coins (literally drachmas ), which are not mentioned anywhere else in the NT, is difficult to estimate. They may have been equal to a denarius. Speculation about whether these were part of the bridal headdress and dowry is unnecessary and irrelevant to the story, as is the exact value of a drachma. No comparison is intended between the hundred-to-one or ten-to-one ratios." (See Luke: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition) Barclay describes a typical Palestine house to give us a sense of the difficulty of the woman's searching for the lost coin - The houses were very dark, for they were lit by one little circular window not much more than about eighteen inches across. The floor was beaten earth covered with dried reeds and rushes; and to look for a coin on a floor like that was very much like looking for a needle in a haystack. The woman swept the floor in the hope that she might see the coin glint or hear it tinkle as it moved. (Luke 15) Does not light (hapto) a lamp (luchnos) and sweep (saroo) the house and search (zeteo) carefully (epimelos) - All three verbs are in the present tense indicating continuous activity. These three verbs indicate the continual effort and zeal undertaken in order to find what is lost. She left nothing to chance. She left no stone (no speck of dust) unturned. When God searches for the lost, He does so with a holy zeal, leaving no stone unturned! (cf Hound of Heaven). THOUGHT - Am I as vigilant as this woman in seeking the lost around me? Why not? Not only will I have joy, but when they are found it pleases my Father and gives Him joy! Amazing thought indeed! Until she finds (heurisko) it (see related note on Lk 15:4) - Not "IF" she finds it but UNTIL. She will not give up the search. Until is a small word but as a time sensitive word it can yield big dividends in interpretation if become attentive to its occurrences (about 500x depending on the translation you use). The basic meaning of until is up to the point in time. If something happens until a particular time, it happens during the period before that time and stops at that time. Stated another (similar) way, if something happens until a time, it happens before that time and then stops at that time. In summary whenever you encounter a time word like UNTIl consider the "5P's" - Pause to Ponder the Passage then Practice it in the Power of the Spirit. Remember you can always ask "What time is it?" Coins (1406)(drachme from drássomai = to grasp) means something after which people grasped. It referred to a drachma, a Greek coin of silver equal to a quarter of the Jewish shekel, and to the Roman denarius or dinar which was the average pay for a twelve-hour work day (Matt. 20:2) and is used only in Luke 15:8, 9. Wikipedia - The name drachma is derived from the verb drássomai, "grasp").[n 3] It is believed that the same word with the meaning of "handful" or "handle" is found in Linear B tablets of the MyceneanPylos.[3][n 4] Initially a drachma was a fistful (a "grasp") of six oboloí or obeloí (metal sticks, literally "spits") used as a form of currency as early as 1100 BC and being a form of "bullion": bronze, copper, or iron ingots denominated by weight. A hoard of over 150 rod-shaped obeloi was uncovered at Heraion of Argos in Peloponnese. Six of them are displayed at the Numismatic Museum of Athens. It was the standard unit of silver coinage at most ancient Greek mints, and the name obol was used to describe a coin that was one-sixth of a drachma. The notion that drachma derived from the word for fistful was recorded by Herakleides of Pontos (387–312 BC) who was informed by the priests of Heraion that Pheidon, king of Argos, dedicated rod-shaped obeloi to Heraion. Similar information about Pheidon's obeloi was also recorded at the Parian Chronicle. Sweep (4563)(saroo) means to sweep with a broom. Floors were usually earthen. The present tense pictures here diligence and determination for she was continually sweeping, leaving no particle of dust undisturbed. Saroo is found only in Matt. 12:44; Lk. 11:25-note; Lk. 15:8. There are no uses in the Septuagint. Gilbrant on saroo - In Matthew 12:44 and Luke 11:25-note the word is used metaphorically by Jesus to describe a house cleaned and decorated, but empty. In a parable about the wicked generation Jesus lived in, He described the Pharisee who was seeking for a sign as a demon-possessed person who experiences a temporary cessation from demonic influence in his life but does not subsequently repent. Such a person is void of any protection against demonic activity. In Luke 15:8 the literal meaning “sweep” appears in the Parable of the Lost Coin. Search (2212)(zeteo) implies giving attention and priority to and deliberately pursuing after. The most common sense of this word is to "seek". Webster says that to seek means to go in search or quest of, to look for, to try to discover, to search for by going from place to place. To inquire for; to ask for; to solicit; to endeavor to find or gain by any means. Zeteo is used of Jesus who came to seek and to save the lost which implies far more than a mere “looking around” (as seen in Mt 6:32,33; 13:45,46; Lk 15:8) and includes the idea of diligently, earnestly, and tenaciously searching after something, sparing no effort, for the sought object is valued to the highest degree. Likewise, believers are to seek God in the same way. Carefully (1960)(epimelos from epí = upon or for + mélō = to concern oneself) is an adverb which means diligently, carefully, sedulously. Only use in NT (Hapax legomenon) In early Greek literature epimelōs means to perform a service carefully. Of sinning continually (Ge 6:5). Of disciplining a son diligently (Pr 13:24) Epimelos - 9x in 9v in the Septuagint - Gen. 6:5; Gen. 8:21; Ezr. 6:8; Ezr. 6:12; Ezr. 6:13; Prov. 13:24 Finds (2147) See discussion above on heurisko. Heurisko is used by Jesus in the context of the narrowness of the way that leads to salvation (Mt 7:14 - For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.) In Matthew 10:39 Jesus declared "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it." SOUL - An Australian council gave an Irishman special permission to dig through a local garbage dump. The man is desperately trying to find a lottery ticket worth 1.5 million dollars ($700,000 US), that he says he accidentally threw out in an empty grocery bag. News agent Sue Virgin said the winning ticket was sold December 18 in a mining town in the state of Western Australia and the prize has not been claimed. Virgin said, "People aren't generally allowed just to go to the tip and dig, and we would certainly be discouraging people from doing that." She said the man had spent four days digging. Virgin added that with all the refuse dumped after Christmas, "It must have been disgusting." —Reuters, January 22, 2002, Submitted by Jim Sandell. (Ed: We never find out if the Irishman found what he lost, which was of great value. In contrast we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God always finds the one lost soul for it is of great value to Him! Amazing grace indeed!) Why would this man dig through refuse? Because he lost something that is of great value to him. And if he finds it, I'm sure he will rejoice. Just as heaven does when a lost soul, something of great value, is found. (Jim Wilson - Fresh Illustrations) KINGDOM OF HEAVEN William Bailey panicked when he realized he had accidentally left a leather portfolio containing a Picasso print, and a painting by Sophie Matisse worth $6,000 in a New York subway station. Bailey, a framer and art instructor had been taking the portfolio downtown when he put it down while waiting for his train. When Bailey arrived in Columbus Circle, he realized he had left the artwork behind. Though he hailed a cab and hurried back to the station, the portfolio and the artwork had disappeared. Bailey said, “It was like a Hitchcock movie. I broke into a tremendous sweat.” After Bailey searched the entire area, he collapsed in tears in front of a nearby church. He plastered the area with posters, begging anyone with information to call and promised a $1,000 reward. Bailey received so many calls, his voice mail stopped working. he says the calls covered everything from people calling him awful names to people telling him they were praying for him. Three days later, Bailey received the call he was waiting for from Paul Abi Boutros, a book vendor from West 80th Street. Boutros says a homeless man apparently brought the portfolio up from the subway platform to the street. Boutros noticed it propped against the wall of a Bagel shop. When it had been there a couple of hours, he asked the man if he planned to keep it. The homeless man said. “Do whatever you want with it.” Boutros says, “ I liked the leather—I liked the portfolio—so I took it.” Boutros’ wife read the story about the missing paintings in the paper the following Sunday and realized what her husband had found. He says, “I thought they’re very good pictures, but I don’t want them because they’re not mine.” When he received the case back, Bailey compared his ecstatic feeling to the brilliant colors in the Matisse painting. He gave Boutros the $1,000 reward. As an added gift, Bailey gave the street vendor the leather portfolio he admired too. —www.nynewsday.com; Lost Picasso, Matisse Recovered; by Melanie Lefkowitz, June 2, 2003. Submitted by Jim Sandell. (Jim Wilson - Fresh Illustrations) Luke 15:9 "When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!' KJV Luke 15:9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Rejoice with me Lk 15:6,7 Luke 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 15 Jesus: The Seeking Savior, Part 1 - John MacArthur Luke 15 The Seeking Savior - Pt 1 - John MacArthur Luke 15:8-10 Recovering the Lost Coin - John MacArthur JOY OVER A LOST COIN FOUND Remember that the main point of this parable is that the lost is found. When she has found (heurisko) it, she calls together her friends (philos) and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with (sugchairo - aorist imperative) me, for I have found (heurisko) the coin (drachme) which I had lost (apollumi)!' -- As noted above joy/rejoicing/rejoicing is a key word in this parable occurring 6 times - Lk 15:5 = rejoicing; Lk 15:6 = rejoice; Lk 15:7 = joy; Lk 15:9 = rejoice; Lk 15:10 = joy; Lk 15:32 = rejoice. All three parts of the parable present the picture of exuberant JOY - The shepherd and his friends rejoice, the woman and her neighbors rejoice, and heaven rejoices. Found (heurisko) means to find after searching and how this depicts God as the "Hound of Heaven."
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Wiersbe - Unlike the shepherd and the woman in the previous parables, the father did not go out to seek the son, but it was the memory of his father's goodness that brought the boy to repentance and forgiveness (see Rom. 2:4). (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24) Steven Cole introductory remarks are very helpful if you want to correctly interpret this popular parable on the prodigal - Most parents of young children have had the experience of putting their child in front of a mirror. At first the young one does not realize that it is his own reflection he is seeing there. He thinks it is another child. But then he begins to notice that when his hand moves, the hand in the mirror moves. It slowly dawns on him, “That is me!” The Bible is like that mirror. At first we look into it and think that we are reading stories about others. It’s interesting to see how they are portrayed. We may chuckle at their antics or shake our heads in disbelief at their stupid ways. But the longer we look, the more we begin to notice that those characters in the Bible look more like us! Gradually, we begin to realize (with some embarrassment), “That is me!” The parable of the prodigal son is like that mirror. At first it just seems like an interesting and touching story. But the more you look, the more you begin to see your own heart either in the prodigal or in his older brother, or in both. But the Bible not only reveals what we are like, it also reveals what God is like. This is important, because we cannot know what God is like apart from His revealing Himself to us. We can speculate on what we think God is like, but such speculations don’t mean anything, because they are just our opinions, not based in fact. Jesus Christ reveals to us what God the Father is truly like. While it is not a comprehensive picture, the father of the prodigal son gives us an important aspect of God’s character, namely, His abundant mercy toward all who will repent of their sins. To interpret the parable correctly, you must see it in light of Lu 15:1-2. The tax gatherers and sinners were coming near to Jesus to listen to Him, which caused the Pharisees and scribes to grumble, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Jesus told the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost (or prodigal) son to affirm that the charge was correct and to show the proud, self-righteous Pharisees why it was proper for Him to associate with sinners. Also, to interpret this and other parables correctly, you must keep in mind that they are designed to illustrate one central truth, not to give comprehensive doctrinal instruction. For example, just because there is no mention in this parable of the shed blood of Christ as the necessary means of forgiveness does not imply that it is unnecessary. It’s just not the point of this story. Also, it is a mistake to infer that the sons represent believers, since they are sons of the father. The household is not the household of faith, but of Israel. The prodigal represents the sinners who were repenting and coming to Jesus; the older brother represents the Pharisees and scribes who were grumbling about Jesus receiving the sinners. But both groups needed repentance. Each of the three parables illustrates God’s abundant mercy toward repentant sinners and His great joy when they are reconciled to Him. But while they all illustrate the same truth, there are different emphases. The first two parables focus on God’s seeking lost sinners and rescuing them and on His great joy in saving them. The emphasis in the parable of the prodigal son is on God’s great love and mercy, but also on the necessary human response to experience His mercy, namely, repentance. Each of the three main characters reflects different lessons. The prodigal shows us the devastating effects of sin and the nature of true repentance. The father shows us God’s great mercy toward repentant sinners. The older brother shows us the ugliness and danger of the self-righteous pride that lurks in every human heart. The entire parable teaches us that …God welcomes repentant sinners with abundant mercy, but the self-righteous exclude themselves from His mercy. (Luke 15:11-32 How to Receive God’s Abundant Mercy) (Bolding added) And He said - NET Bible translates it "Then Jesus said" since "then" indicates the implied sequence in the parable narrative. NIV has "Jesus continued." The NLT paraphrases it "To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story." While this is a third story most consider it the third component of this parable because in Lk 15:3 Luke begins "He told them this parable," implying it is one parable with there parts all having the same theme of something lost and something found resulting in the heart response of joy or rejoicing. Foster - Since Jesus was seeking above all else to portray the love of God and to get the Pharisees to understand the divine purpose and result in His association with sinners, the last parable might be called "The Parable of the Loving Father. Because of the central theme in all three parables, they might be called "Parables of the Lost."....The principle which is constant in all three parables is the unfailing effort of the one who seeks the lost. The importance of a human soul and the joy manifest when the lost is found are seen throughout the three parables" (Studies in the Life of Christ) Hampton Keathley IV offers an interesting "paraphrase" of Luke 15:11ff and entitles it The Rebellious Son In The Key Of F Feeling footloose and frisky, a foolish fellow forced his father to fork over his fourth of the family farthings and flew far to a foreign field where he fast frittered his fathers fortune feasting foolishly with faithless friends. Fleeced by his fellows and folly, and facing famine he found himself a feed flinger in a filthy farm. Flushed and fairly famished he fain would have filled his frame with foraged food from farm fodder. “My father’s flunkies fair far finer.” The frazzled fugitive forlornly fumbled. Frustrated and filled with forboding, he fled forthwith to his father. Falling to his father’s feet he forlornly fumbled, “Father, I have flunked and frugalessly forfeited family favor.” The fugitive’s, faultfinding brother frowned on fickle forgiveness, but the faithful father figure filled with fidelity, cried, “The fugitive is found. What forbids further festivities. Let the flags unfurl and the fanfares flare.” Father flagged a flunky who fetched a fatling from the flock and fixed a feast. The moral of the story is: The father’s forgiveness formed a foundation for the fugitive’s future fortitude. (The Lost Sheep, Coins and Sons). A man had two sons - He could have just said one son, but the parable teaches the reaction of two sons, because as the story unfolds, a loving, gracious father is described interacting with TWO rebellious sons - one was prodigal, and the other petulant (easily irritated and annoyed, childishly sulky or bad-tempered). So do not miss the important point that the elder son is in this story from the very beginning and his reaction teaches important truth. Prodigal in English is an adjective which describes one who is recklessly wasteful or extravagant, as in disposing of goods or money; a person who squanders money lavishly and foolishly; a person characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure. From this Google Graph of frequency of usage it is clear that the term prodigal is used much less today than in past times. Matthew a distinct "two son" parable addressed to the religious leaders. In Matthew 21:23 Jesus "entered the temple" and was teaching and was again confronted by the religious leaders "the chief priests and the elders" much like He was confronted by the grumbling of the Pharisees and Scribes in Lk 15:2. And so again Jesus uses the motif of two sons in a story which is also about the Kingdom of God. Matthew quotes Jesus' as he tells them this story contrasting two responses to the Gospel, this time giving His opponents the opportunity to condemn themselves with words from their own mouths. “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ 29“And he answered, ‘I will not’; but afterward he regretted it and went. 30“The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, ‘I will, sir’; but he did not go. 31“Which of the two did the will of his father?” They *said, “The first.” Jesus *said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. (Mt 21:28-31) John
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Wiersbe - We are always heading for trouble whenever we value things more than people, pleasure more than duty, and distant scenes more than the blessings we have right at home. Jesus once warned two disputing brothers, "Take heed and beware of covetousness!" (Luke 12:15) Why? Because the covetous person can never be satisfied, no matter how much he acquires, and a dissatisfied heart leads to a disappointed life. The prodigal learned the hard way that you cannot enjoy the things money can buy if you ignore the things money cannot buy. If the sheep was lost through foolishness and the coin through carelessness, then the son was lost because of willfulness. He wanted to have his own way so he rebelled against his own father and broke his father's heart. (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24) Gotquestions - In verse 13 we read that he travels to a distant country. It is evident from his previous actions that he had already made that journey in his heart, and the physical departure was a display of his willful disobedience to all the goodness his father had offered (Proverbs 27:19; Matthew 6:21; 12:34). Went on a journey into a distant country (a far country) - This refers to a Gentile country for any region outside of Israel was Gentile. This compounds his sin. The Jews despised the Gentiles and considered them dogs. This says a lot about the degree of depravity of his heart and mind, to wander so far from his Jewish roots. And of course in such a distant country he would be less likely to find anyone who would hold him accountable for his loose living, because a lascivious, immoral lifestyle was the "norm" for most Gentile nations of the day. "Many of the wealthier young men of Jesus' time went abroad to Rome or to Antioch for the gay life of the city." (Wycliffe Bible Commentary) Mattoon on the distant country - The far country is not hard to find. In fact, you can enter it right where you are living. You do not have to go to a city known for its wickedness. You can even be a member of a good church, even teach a Sunday-school class, and live in a "far country." There have been preachers who lived in the far country, but preached in pulpits every Sunday. The far country is an attitude of a person's heart, mind, soul, will, and desires. People that live in a far country from the Father are living in rebellion against the will of God and the Word of God. The distance into the far country is measured by the distance between a person and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Treasures from Luke) He willfully went his way like the old Frank Sinatra song "My Way" some of the lyrics of which aptly describe the prodigal's perilous path I planned each charted course Each careful step along the byway And more, much more than this I did it my way For what is a man, what has he got If not himself, then he has naught To say the things he truly feels And not the words of one who kneels The record shows I took the blows And did it my way Yes, it was my way The prophet Isaiah gave an even more apt description of the prodigal's journey All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. (Isaiah 53:6)
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Wiersbe - This scene in the drama is our Lord's way of emphasizing what sin really does in the lives of those who reject the Father's will. Sin promises freedom, but it only brings slavery (John 8:34); it promises success, but brings failure; it promises life, but "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). The boy thought he would "find himself," but he only lost himself! When God is left out of our lives, enjoyment becomes enslavement. (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24) Hired himself - Literally "was joined to" or "joined himself to." He clings to this man. Unfortunately, he is clinging to the wrong person. He should have been clinging to his father and the Lord. As
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Wiersbe - There is an "insanity" in sin that seems to paralyze the image of God within us and liberate the "animal" inside. Students of Shakespeare like to contrast two quotations that describe this contradiction in man's nature. (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24) What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form, in moving, how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! (Hamlet, II, ii) When he is best, he is a little worse than a man; and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast. (The Merchant of Venice, I, ii) Mattoon - It is amazing how the growl of our stomach gets our attention like the roar of a lion. God has a way of speaking to our hearts when we are hungry, hurting, helpless, homeless, hapless, and hopeless. Our Lord uses our desperation to wake us up and draw us back to Himself. Have you made choices in your life that have left you on the bottom of the barrel looking up? If so, realize you are finally looking in the right direction for the first time in a long time. You are looking up! That is a key step in escaping from the pig pen. D.L. Moody used to share the following story: Dr. Andrew Bonar told me how, in the Highlands of Scotland, a sheep would often wander off into the rocks and get into places that they couldn't get out of. The grass on these mountains is very sweet and the sheep like it, and they will jump down ten or twelve feet, and then they can't jump back again and the shepherd hears them bleating in distress. They may be there for days, until they have eaten all the grass. The shepherd will wait until they are so faint that they cannot stand, and then they will put a rope around him, and he will go over and pull that sheep up out of the jaws of death. "Why don't they go down there when the sheep first gets there? I asked. "Ah!" he said, "they are so very foolish they would dash right over the precipice and be killed if they did." Moody concludes his story by saying: "And this is the way with men; they won't go back to God till they have no friends and have lost everything." The prodigal son has lost everything and he finally awakened. He came to himself! He was probably thinking, "What am I doing here?" This young man had traded sweet for bitter and light for darkness. He has been living a life without common sense and reasoning because He has wandered away from God. It is bad news for Satan when we begin to think about what we are really doing and the consequences of our actions. This was a crucial step in escaping the pig pen. (Treasures from Luke) Robertson on came to his senses - As if he had been far from himself as he was from home. As a matter of fact he had been away, out of his head, and now began to see things as they really were. How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread - Note first that the father still had many hired men even with his son taking one-third of the estate. Notice also that the son recalls his father's kindness and generosity in taking care of those who were hired by him. As
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Wiersbe - Had he stopped there, the boy would have experienced only regret or remorse (2 Cor. 7:10), but true repentance involves the will as well as the mind and the emotions—"I will arise... I will go... I will say... ." Our resolutions may be noble, but unless we act on them, they can never of themselves bring about any permanent good. If repentance is truly the work of God (Acts 11:18), then the sinner will obey God and put saving faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24) Make me as one of your hired men - His expectations were not high. He would be satisfied to simply work for his father, for at least then he would be eating better than the swine. He had a proper opinion of his dismal condition as a sinner. He would soon have a better understanding of grace. Ray Pritchard - Fourth, there was humility. While he is still in the pigpen, he mentally rehearses what he will say to his father. “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.” What a tremendous statement that is. He didn’t make any deals with his father. He came back home with no pre-conditions. He didn’t say, “Dad, before I’ll come back, we’ve got to make a deal.” He didn’t say, “You have to give me exactly what I had. I’m coming back, but I want that fortune I lost. You have to replace it.” That’s not real repentance. This man was so deeply hurt over the way he lived that he said, “Father, I’m not worthy to be called your son. I’ve disgraced you. If you will take me back, I will work like a hired hand. I won’t even call myself your son any more.” Real repentance doesn’t make deals with God. (Luke 15:11-32 Tapped On a Dead-End Street) Play this upbeat song Prodigal - Sidewalk Prophets PRODIGAL It's been a long time since you felt peace In the valley you made where you're not meant to be Where the shame throws shadows on you But don't you forget That you're headed to more But you've settled for less Don't buy the lie “it's as good as it gets” The same feet that left you lost and alone Are the very same feet that can bring you back home Wherever you are, whatever you did It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end Your Father will meet you with arms open wide This is where your heart belongs Come running like a prodigal There will be nights, when you hear whispers Of the life you once knew, don't let it linger Cause there's a grace that falls upon you Don't you forget In the places your weak He is very strong Don't ever believe “you don't deserve love” The same God that protects you when you're lost and alone Is the very same God that is calling you home Wherever you are, whatever you did It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end Your Father will meet you with arms open wide This is where your heart belongs Come running like a prodigal Oh… Let your life be made new Oh… As you come into view Your Father's not waiting, no he's running too He's running straight to you Wherever you are, whatever you did It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end Your Father will meet you with arms open wide This is where your heart belongs Come running like a prodigal © 2015 Dayspring Music Publishing Deal, Or No Deal I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants. —Luke 15:19 If you’re like me, you love a good deal. Not just bargain shopping, but when you manage to cut a great deal for yourself without giving anything up in return. So if you can identify with these kinds of deals, you’ll understand the prodigal son’s scheme when he decided to return home. There were three kinds of servants in those days: day workers who were paid on a day-to-day basis; hired servants who worked long hours on the estate but lived in town with their independence intact; or bond servants who lived on the estate and gave all of themselves to serving the family. When the prodigal son hit rock bottom, it’s interesting that his planned apology involved asking if he could be like a hired servant. Why not a grateful bond servant? Some commentators suggest that perhaps he was trying to negotiate a deal—a way to get a paycheck and keep his independence as well. Often we approach God like, “I’ll serve You but You can’t take away my freedom.” It may seem like a good deal at the time, but God’s deal is so much better. Just like the boy’s father, His arms are ready and willing to receive repentant sinners as part of His family. There could be no better deal and no better way to serve Him! By Joe Stowell Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine; Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine. Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride; I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Orr True freedom is found in surrender to Christ. Luke 15:20 "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. KJV Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him Dt 30:2-4; Job 33:27,28; Ps 86:5,15; 103:10-13; Isa 49:15; 55:6-9; Isa 57:18; Jer 31:20; Ezek 16:6-8; Hosea 11:8; Micah 7:18,19; Acts 2:39; Eph 2:13,17 ran and embraced him and kissed him.Ge 33:4; 45:14; 46:29; Acts 20:37 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 Luke 15:17-24 The Loving Father - John MacArthur Gustave Dore's Woodcut THE FINAL STEP OF THE PRODIGAL'S REPENTANCE So he got up and came to his father - Notice that it does not say he came "home" but that he "came to his father." When we have sinned, we must confess and repent and return to fellowship with our Father. John writes about this in his first epistle If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk (present tense - continually) in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk (present tense - continually) in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses (present tense - continually cleanses) us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess (present tense - continually) our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn 1:6-9) Mattoon - The story is told about two frogs that sat on the edge of the water. One decided to jump. How many did that leave on the edge? If somebody says, "One," the correct reply is, "It leaves two. I did not say one jumped; I only said he decided to jump." See, there is a big difference in deciding to do something and actually doing it. The decision to do something is vain unless it leads to action. In this story, the prodigal son put action to his decision and returned home to his father. He escaped the pig pen. When he made up his mind to return, he departed immediately with urgency. If you want to escape from the pig pen, then take immediate steps once you make up your mind to get out. Delaying your decision will make matters more difficult to put feet to your decision. When you delay, there is a tendency to lose the seriousness of your situation or to make excuses for your faults. If you are under conviction about something in your life, then act on the conviction and get the matter right now. If you need to trust Christ as your Savior, then do it today. Paul said, "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." If you are living in sin, cease immediately. The prodigal son did not wait to clean up his life and make himself presentable. He did not wait to get better clothes and a better job. He came in humility, just as he was. This is the way a person should come to Jesus Christ. Come as you are. God is not impressed with our "cleanup" programs. He saves those folks who are good and moral. They need saving. He runs toward those who are filthy, seeking His forgiveness and cleansing, just like this father. The Lord wants us to come to Him just as we are right now. Play the song Come Just as You Are. (Treasures from Luke) Steven Cole describes how the prodigal's thoughts and action are a picture of true repentance - The prodigal finally comes to his senses and realizes that even his father’s hired hands have it better than he does (Lk 15:17-note). So he determines to go back to his father, confess his sin (Lk 15:18-note), acknowledge his own unworthiness to receive anything from his father, and yet appeal to his mercy so that he could become like one of the hired men (Lk 15:19-note). He had left demanding his rights; he returned in humility and brokenness. So he got up and went to his father, probably not quite sure how his dad would respond. The prodigal shows us a number of things about true repentance. It always begins by seeing our true condition for what it is: “He came to himself [or, his senses].” (Lk 15:17-note) He realized what he had done. It took him a while to come to this awareness. We don’t know how long he was slopping pigs before he realized how low he had sunk, but finally his eyes were opened to his true, awful condition and he thought, “What am I doing here?” He thought about the fact that even the servants in his father’s house were happier than he was. He determined to return to his father. That is the next thing about repentance, that it is a turning from our sin to God Himself. No one else can help. “I will get up and go to my father.” His friends had abandoned him. He had run out of his own resources. As long as you have anything in yourself that you think will meet your needs, you will avoid going directly to God. If the young man had thought, “I’m going to turn over a new leaf. I’ll get a better job. I’ll save some money. I dug myself into this pit; I’ll pull myself out by my own bootstraps!” he would not have gone back to his father. If he had clung to his own pride, he would have thought, “I’m not going to let him see me in this condition. I have too much dignity for that! I’ll return to my father after I’ve cleaned up and gotten a new suit of clothes.” The Gospel always brings us to the end of ourselves, our resources, our schemes, and everything else that we rely on, until we must come directly to God Himself. All we can plead for is His mercy. We can’t come and show Him how well we’ve done without Him. We can’t splash the cologne of our good works over the stench of the pigsty and hope that He doesn’t notice how badly we smell. We can’t send a friend or a gift to try to patch things up. We can only come directly to the Father in our wretched condition and appeal to His mercy: “I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” Repentance must be directed personally toward the God whom we have sinned against. True repentance includes an honest confession of our sins, without any excuses. “I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.” He didn’t say, “I wouldn’t have sinned if you hadn’t been such a demanding and insensitive father.” “I wouldn’t have gotten into trouble if you hadn’t given me all that money when you knew that I wasn’t mature enough to handle it properly.” He didn’t blame the fact that he had to live in the shadow of his high-achieving brother. He said, “I have sinned.” True repentance always involves accepting responsibility for what we have done. Implicit in the prodigal’s repentance is also a measure of faith that the father would show him mercy. If he had thought that his dad would beat him black and blue and order him never to set foot on his property again, he wouldn’t have bothered to go home. He had a hope, however slim, that his father would grant his request that he become like one of the hired men. (Lk 15:19-note) If you come to God with just an inkling of faith that He will receive you because of His great mercy, He will not disappoint you! ILLUSTRATION - Spurgeon tells of being in his garden when he saw a dog amusing himself among his flowers. He knew that the dog was not pulling weeds and since it wasn’t his dog, he threw a stick at it and yelled at it to chase it away. Well, the dog very quickly made Spurgeon ashamed for treating it so harshly. It fetched the stick and, wagging its tail, dropped it at Spurgeon’s feet. He says, “Do you think I could strike him or drive him away after that? No, I patted him and called him good names. The dog had conquered the man.” Then he applies it: “And if you, poor sinner, dog as you are, can have confidence enough in God to come to him just as you are, it is not in his heart to spurn you” (12 Sermons on the Prodigal Son [Baker], pp. 105-106). Also, note that the prodigal’s repentance was not just thought, but action. He didn’t just sit there in the pigsty thinking, “I should go back to my father some day.” He didn’t just feel bad about what he had done, although he must have felt terrible. But he didn’t just sit there feeling depressed. He got up and made that long journey back. Some say that repentance is merely a change of mind. It is a change of mind, but not merely a change of mind. It is a change of mind that results in our turning from our sin to God. In going back to his father, the young man was leaving his friends and his loose way of life. He put a great deal of distance between himself and those old temptations. Repentance involved the action of leaving his sin and returning to his father. This story shows that no matter how low you may have sunk into sin, there is hope if you will turn from your sin to God. If you say, “No, I’m too far gone,” you are only making excuses and you’re not believing the invitation that God extends to every guilty sinner. If you are living a life of sin, Jesus is saying to you, “No matter how awful, defiant, and wretched your sin, if you will come to the Father in true repentance, He will welcome you.” (Bolding added for emphasis) (Luke 15:11-32 How to Receive God’s Abundant Mercy) MacArthur on His father running to meet him - The scribes and Pharisees would have expected that if the son did return, the father, to maintain his own honor, would initially refuse to see him. Instead, he would make him sit in the village outside the gate of the family home for days in shame and disgrace. When he did finally grant his son an audience, it would be a cool reception as the son humbled himself before his father. He would be expected to tell his son what works he would need to perform to make full restitution for his prodigality, and for how long, before he could be reconciled as a son to his father. All of that was consistent with the rabbis’ teaching that repentance was a good work performed by sinners that could eventually earn God’s favor and forgiveness. (See Luke Commentary) But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion (splanchnizomai) for him - Here we have one of the most moving pictures in all of Scripture! We know this was not an accidental sighting because he was still a long way off. Clearly his father had been keeping a hopeful vigil, watching and waiting (praying) for such a return. THOUGHT - I understand this father, for my youngest son got into the drug scene in high school and was in and out of treatment centers for the next 20 years. But for 20 years my wife and I pleaded with God almost daily for his soul as he was not a believer during this time in the far country. Near the end of his time in the far country, he called one day to tell me he was going to hang himself and had the rope and the tree picked out in the cemetery he had been visiting for several months. There was nothing I could do but pray, for I did not even know which cemetery he was staging his suicide. I cannot explain how or why, but he did not hang himself that day. Over the next weeks he subsequently ended up sleeping on a dirty, cold garage floor of a friend who owned a car repair shop and had mercy on him for it was the middle of winter and he was homeless. It was on the filthy garage floor that he came to his senses and it was not long after that, that he repented and confessed Christ as His Savior and Lord. He has been drug free for the past six years and God is restoring the 20 lost years as we have had some of the most wonderful spiritual conversations we have ever had. And in contrast to this story in Luke 15, his elder brother, an elder at a local church, was overjoyed to see him come home to His heavenly Father. Perhaps you have a "prodigal." Many (most) of us do. Let me to encourage you to do what we did -- to keep waiting and watching, keep pleading with our Father to save your prodigal, a prayer we prayed for 20 years (always asking others to pray for him also). There were many times when we thought it was hopeless, but we kept praying, and on one glorious day, the Spirit of God swept him into the Kingdom of God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." (Gal 6:9) Note the timing. The son is too far away to express his repentance, but already the father’s grace is present. Here is a picture of our God who shouts to the returning rebel, “Welcome home!” Gotquestions - He had been transformed from a state of destitution to complete restoration. That is what God's grace does for a penitent sinner (Ps 40:2; 103:4). Not only are we forgiven, but we receive a spirit of sonship as His children, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, of His incomparable riches (Ro 8:16-17; Eph 1:18-19). Saw him...felt compassion for him...ran...embraced him... kissed him (kataphileo) - The piling up of verbs presents a vivid picture of the love of the father for the prodigal. For an older man to run in the Near East would have been unusual and striking for it was considered undignified, but it serves to emphasize the father's heart for his lost son. In the grander scheme, the father's running emphasizes how God the Father passionately and persistently pursues those who are His children (though they may not realize they are His children during the time He is pursuing them)! Kissed him - Like David did his son Absalom "So when Joab came to the king and told him, he called for Absalom. Thus he came to the king and prostrated himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom." (2 Sa 14:33) Embraced him - Embraced is three words in Greek - epipipto (fall upon) + epi (upon) + trachelos (neck) I like the picture presented by the old KJV he "fell on his neck." This is "an idiom for showing special affection for someone by throwing one’s arms around them. The picture is of the father hanging on the son’s neck in welcome." (NET Note). Ponder the picture of his impoverished filthy, smelly son, dressed in dirty rags. Such was the father's love, that despite his filthy state the father welcomed him with open arms! Who does this sound like? Our Heavenly Father has embraced us and replaced our filthy rags (cfIsa 64:6) with the robes of Christ righteousness. Amazing grace!
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Wiersbe has an interesting thought on why the father ran - In the East, old men do not run; yet the father ran to meet his son. Why? One obvious reason was his love for him and his desire to show that love. But there is something else involved. This wayward son had brought disgrace to his family and village and, according to Deuteronomy 21:18-21, he should have been stoned to death. If the neighbors had started to stone him, they would have hit the father who was embracing him! What a picture of what Jesus did for us on the cross! (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24)
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Wiersbe - In the far country, the prodigal learned the meaning of misery; but back home, he discovered the meaning of mercy. Had the boy been dealt with according to the Law, there would have been a funeral, not a feast. What a beautiful illustration of Psalm 103:10-14! (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24) Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him - What a glorious picture of grace, mercy and forgiveness by God our Father when we repent and believe in Jesus. This is a beautiful picture of the righteousness of Christ imputed to a sinner's account. When a penitent sinner recognizes he can't achieve his own righteousness by works and repents and calls on the mercy of God, the Lord covers him with Christ's own perfect righteousness by grace through his faith. And just as the prodigal was restored to full privileges in the family, the penitent believing sinner is regenerated and brought into a new relationship with God the Father even to the point of becoming "children of God, and if (since) children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him." (Ro 8:16-17-note) Paul alluded to the righteousness with which the Father clothes us in His Son... Ro 3:21-22-note But now apart from the Law (PICTURED BY THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS SCRIBES AND PHARISEES) the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 2 Corinthians 5:21-note He (THE FATHER) made Him Who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Philippians 3:8; 9-note More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law (AS PAUL DID WHEN HE WAS A ZEALOUS PHARISEE) but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, Isaiah's words foreshadow this imputed robe of righteousness with which every believer is now forever clothed: I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10) What a striking contrast with the righteousness in Isaiah's later prophecy describing us as if we were clothed with a "filthy garment" For all of us (NOTE ISAIAH INCLUDES HIMSELF IN THIS CONFESSION OF UNWORTHINESS TO BE IN THE FATHER'S PRESENCE) have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment (CLOTHES STAINED BY MENSTRUAL BLOOD AND THUS RENDERED UNCLEAN TO BE IN GOD'S PRESENCE); And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (Isaiah 64:6) The best robe - This would undoubtedly be the robe that belonged to the father himself, and was worn only on important occasions such as a grand celebration. Instead, the father gives the son the very robe he would have worn at such a celebration! NET Note on quickly... - With the instructions Hurry! Bring the best robe, there is a total acceptance of the younger son back into the home. Put a ring - Some interpret this as likely the family signet ring, which would demonstrate clearly to all that the father had not only received his son, but had even restored him to a position of authority within the family (Wikipedia says signet rings were "used to attest the authority of its bearer").
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Wiersbe - he was self-righteous. He openly announced the sins of his brother, but he could not see his own sins (see Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisees defined sin primarily in terms of outward actions, not inward attitudes. They completely missed the message of the Sermon on the Mount and its emphasis on inward attitudes and holiness of heart (Matt. 5-7). (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24) Keener remarks that "The elder brother here is a transparent metaphor for the Pharisees, and the younger brother for the sinners with whom Jesus was eating (Lk 15:1–2)." (See The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament) NET Note on given me a young goat - You never gave me even a goat. A goat was less valuable and would have fed far fewer guests. So the son is saying "And you wouldn't even give me this lesser gift!" The older son's complaint was that the generous treatment of the younger son was not fair: "I can't get even a little celebration with a basic food staple like a goat!" Mattoon - When we become ungrateful for what we have, we start griping, and this is what this older son did. With his inheritance from his father, he could have killed a goat and thrown his own party any time he wanted. He owned all the goats and calves. When we are jealous and ungrateful, we fail to see the blessings we possess. God wants us to learn to be thankful for and content with His provisions and blessings. (Treasures from Luke) Yet you have never given me a young goat - Not even a goat much less a fattened calf! Notice his complaint was "that he had not been celebrated for his legalism. Heaven never holds a party for a self-righteous man." (MacArthur Commentary) Serving (1398) douleuo from doulos = slave or one who is in bondage or bound to another, in the state of being completely controlled by someone or something) means to be in bondage or in the position of servant and to act accordingly, dutifully obeying the master's commands. The present tense signifies this was the elder's son habitual practice. Douleuo - 23v - bondage(1), enslaved(3), render service(1), serve(10), served(1), serves(1), serving(4), slavery(1), slaves(3). Matt. 6:24; Lk. 15:29; Lk. 16:13; Jn. 8:33; Acts 7:7; Acts 20:19; Rom. 6:6; Rom. 7:6; Rom. 7:25; Rom. 9:12; Rom. 12:11; Rom. 14:18; Rom. 16:18; Gal. 4:8; Gal. 4:9; Gal. 4:25; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 6:7; Phil. 2:22; Col. 3:24; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 Tim. 6:2; Tit. 3:3 Luke 15:30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.' KJV Luke 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. when this son of yours came Lk 15:32; 18:11; Ex 32:7,11 who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes Lk 15:13,22,23 Luke 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 15:11-32 The Tale of Two Sons - John MacArthur Luke 15:25-32 The Legalistic Son - John MacArthur Luke 15:28-32 The Tale of Two Sons - Part 5 - John MacArthur ELDER SON'S CONTEMPT FOR HIS BROTHER When this son of yours came - Notice not "this brother of mine!" The elder brother's description is distinctly pejorative (expressive of his disapproval). The elder brother in essence "disowns" his younger brother. And then he proceeds to denigrate him with a cascade of accusations. Steven
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Wiersbe - In my years of preaching and pastoral ministry, I have met elder brothers (and sisters!) who have preferred nursing their anger to enjoying the fellowship of God and God's people. Because they will not forgive, they have alienated themselves from the church and even from their family; they are sure that everyone else is wrong and they alone are right. They can talk loudly about the sins of others, but they are blind to their own sins. "I never forgive!" General Oglethorpe said to John Wesley, to which Wesley replied, "Then, sir, I hope you never sin." Don't stand outside! Come in and enjoy the feast! (Borrow Be courageous Luke 14-24) Son (5043)(teknon from tikto = bring forth, bear children, be born) is strictly a child produced, male or female, son or daughter. Teknon is thus a child as viewed in relation to his or her parents or family. In the plural, teknon is used generically of descendants, posterity or children. It would generally be considered a more affectionate term then huios. Who Gets The Love? Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. —Luke 15:31 A sociologist was writing a book about the difficulties of growing up in a large family, so he interviewed the mother of 13 children. After several questions, he asked, “Do you think all children deserve the full, impartial love and attention of a mother?” “Of course,” said the mother. “Well, which of your children do you love the most?” he asked, hoping to catch her in a contradiction. She answered, “The one who is sick until he gets well, and the one who is away until he gets home.” That mother’s response reminds me of the shepherd who left 99 sheep to seek the one that was lost (Luke 15:4), the woman who searched for the one coin (v.8), and the father who threw a party when his wayward son returned (vv.22-24). The religious leaders of Jesus’ day resented the way He gave so much attention to sinners (vv.1-2). So He told those stories to emphasize God’s love for people who are lost in sin. God has more than enough love to go around. Besides, those who are “well” and are not “lost” experience the Father’s love as fully as those to whom He gives special attention (v.31). The One who made the heavens, Who died on Calvary, Rejoices with His angels When sinners are set free. —Fasick God loves every one of us as if there were but one of us to love. —Augustine A. W. Tozer in his book Knowledge of the Holy describes the love of God... Because God is self-existent, His love had no beginning; because He is eternal, His love can have no end; because He is infinite, it has no limit; because He is holy, it is the quintessence of all spotless purity; because He is immense, His love is an incomprehensibly vast, bottomless, shoreless sea." O the deep, deep love of Jesus, Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean In its fullness over me. —Thomas J. Williams Luke 15:32 'But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'" KJV Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. we had to celebrate and rejoice Lk 7:34; Ps 51:8; Isa 35:10; Hosea 14:9; Jonah 4:10,11; Ro 3:4,19; 15:9-13 for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live Lk 15:24; Eph 2:1-10 Luke 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 15:11-32 The Tale of Two Sons - John MacArthur Luke 15:25-32 The Legalistic Son - John MacArthur Luke 15:28-32 The Tale of Two Sons - Part 5 - John MacArthur JESUS' STORY LEAVES US HANGING! Jesus abruptly ends the parable without telling us what happened to the elder brother. The Pharisees, of all people would want to know, because the elder son clearly represented them. John