September 10, 2010
The Father, or the Father’s “stuff”?
Luke 15:11-32
Jay Burns
Central Truth
Jesus came to seek the lost. In this parable He tells us exactly who the lost are. The fact is, no matter what we look like on the outside, we ALL are lost. Thank God He stands waiting and longing for us ALL to come home.
Key Verse | 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.'" (Luke 15:21)
Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to 1 15:15 Greek joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 2 15:21 Some manuscripts add treat me as one of your hired servants 22 But the father said to his servants, 3 15:22 Or bondservants ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
Dive Deeper | Luke 15:11-32
This is the third and final parable Jesus tells the Pharisees in response to their complaints about His associating with sinners. Jesus has two main points in these three parables: 1) the lost have great value, and 2) He has come seek the lost.
In today’s parable, however, He defines more clearly who the lost are.
The young prodigal is clearly lost. His sin was that he loved the father’s “stuff” more than he loved the father. Notice, however, that the older brother suffers from exactly the same affliction. He followed all of the outward rules. He was in church every Sunday. He was a tireless worker. Everyone could see his dedication. He deserved his reward. But, when truly tested, he loved the father’s "stuff" more than he loved the father. Ouch!
I can fall into the patterns of the older brother at times as well. I sometimes feel prayer is an obligation and go through the motions. I can get angry or edgy when I am pulled between the world and serving God. I can occasionally feel like I am serving Him because “I need to.” These are all symptoms of being an "older brother."
This passage reminds me that my Heavenly Father wants my heart in true relationship with Him, nothing more and nothing less. If you and I will come to our senses and love the Father for who He is and what He sacrificed for us, and not for the “stuff,” then He will come running to us with open arms. He is standing at the window waiting for us to come home, whether we are the younger brother, returning from a dangerous far away place, or we are the older brother, mimicking the Pharisees at times. Either way, He will put a ring on our finger, clothe us in His finest robe, wrap us in the comfort of His loving arms at the eternal feast. Let’s all run home!
Discussion Questions
1. Is there any evidence in your life that you might love the Father’s stuff more than you love the Father? If so, what would such a list look like?
2. What would you or others list as evidences that your love of the Father is your highest priority? Could your community come up with such a list? Your spouse? Your kids? Your friends?
3. Have you ever felt like service for the Kingdom was a burden or felt as if prayer was an obligation? Have you ever just "gone through the motions"? If so, process this with your community to determine why you felt this way and how you could help overcome this in the future.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What was the sin of the younger brother? What was the sin of the older brother?
2. How does the father respond to both of the brothers? Which of the two brothers do you relate with more?
3. How do you respond to God the Father who is willing to offer forgiveness and welcome you into His house?