⏱ 10 min read

• In every good movie or play, the sequence of the events is what makes it memorable and impacting.
• Today we want to share five (5) scenes about perhaps one of the well-known parables of Jesus: the prodigal son.
• In this parable, there is a rich father who has two sons (the brothers). Let’s dig in:

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.“ A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. ~ Luke 15:11-13

Scene 1: Restlessness (v11-12)

• This brother had everything at his disposal in his father’s house, but he asked for his inheritance.
• By doing that he was saying: “You are no longer my head, no longer my source. I don’t want to live under you any longer; I am old enough to be on my own…”
• He was saying to his father: “I wish you were dead and gone; I am my own man.” So he rejected his father and his covering.

Scene 2: Rebellion (v13-16)

After receiving his inheritance, he set off into a distant land. He wanted nothing to do with his family… (mercy!) I believe that’s where the problem started. Are we the category of people who get a blessing from God and then leave? Go far from Him?

“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.“

• This brother wasted his wealth on pleasures (parties, women, etc). He had rejected God, but he didn’t know that at a point all the ‘fun’ would end.
• The famine brought him to a point of extreme need and want; from grace to grass. Oh poor boy… he was very miserable.
• Dear friend, there are times we want to go out and chase the things of the world; we want to also indulge in pleasure and just enjoy…

We are eager to go and enjoy the fleeting things the world has to offer. I want you to remember that one day, the ‘fun’ comes to an end. The pitiful pleasures leave in its wake devastation, depression, starvation, great loss etc.

Scene 3: Regret and Realisation (v17-19)

• One thing I love about this brother is his ability to make a U-turn.
• He started thinking properly and he realised his mistake: “This is not what I bargained for; I’ve been a fool. Even my father’s gateman has plenty of food in his fridge…”
• This is true repentance: confession of sin, genuine sorrow and humility to go back to God because of sin.

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

• He purposed in his heart to go back to his father to be made a servant. Compare this to his earlier immaturity of always asking for things (v12).
• It is the contrast of humility: “make me a servant…” Even if you will use me to sweep the compound, just make me into something.
• “I need to go back to the source, to my Father. I am not a pig; I am not for shame. I have a Father and I’m going back to my Father.”

To be able to move out of our low states, we must be able to realise our errors, go back home and go and talk to Our Father! NB: He didn’t wait for his Father or big brother to come to him, he went back!

You see, in the two preceding parables Jesus gave (Luke 15:1-10), the seeker actively looked for the lost coin and sheep, which could not return by themselves. But in this story, the Father watched and waited.

• I believe both situations can apply to us. Sometimes we are so helpless and get lost by no decision of ours; I believe God in His mercies pursues us and brings us home.
• However, in this story, the father was dealing with a human being with a will of his own, even though He was ever ready to go and meet His son should he return.
• God’s love is constant, patient, and welcoming. He will search for us and give us opportunities to respond, but He will not force us to come to Him; we have to make that decision.

God waits patiently for us to come to our senses and come to Him. This is the difference between a lost coin/sheep and a lost son. Others have the responsibility to find the sheep/coin, but the son is personally responsible for going back home. Let’s go back home!

Scene 4: Return and Reception (v20-21)

Dear friend, this is one of my favourite portions of the story: No matter how far you’ve gone, you can always come back home! Our Father is always waiting for us to come back home; He is a loving Father.

• Sometimes we break God’s heart, but we’re so precious to God. He grieves over every loss and He is just looking forward to us coming back home.
• The father ran – against traditional customs – embraced him, and cuddled him with kisses (aawwwn). Jesus is waiting for us in this same way.
• This son was truly repentant at heart and his mouth spoke (amidst the hug and kisses): “Father, I have sinned…”

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

• Some of us would have said: “Oh, it seems the old man missed me paa. I don’t need to change and say anything again. The way He’s kissing me, it seems He’s even lucky I’ve come back.”
• Let God’s love and compassion rather move you to truly repent from your heart and let it bubble out in your confession.

Scene 5: Restoration (v22-24)

The father didn’t list his sins and faults. He didn’t answer him mpo nor did He say: “You’re forgiven.” He just sent the servants to bring the best things for the boy. Gave him back his authority and sonship; reinstated him as heir; threw a party for him!

• Dear friend, this is for you if you still feel condemned and guilty of your past. God does not condemn you; that is the voice of the enemy.
• “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
• The father’s response shows how God sees His children and He is waiting to do this for you!

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening.
We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

• God is going to give you the finest new robe (restore your identity as His child), put on you a ring (give you responsibility & authority), and give you sandals for your naked feet (restore your dignity).
• God is going to honour you with a celebration and all will give glory for your life turned around!
• If God did it for a bad, lost, rebellious, lying, porn-addict like me, He can do it for you!

Let us end by listing some characteristics of the older brother to take note of. It is very important that after we’re saved, we do not take on his mentality and disposition:

• He lacked love and mercy for his sinner brother (v27-32)
• He was jealous and angry (v28)
• He had the mindset of a slave; never asked for anything from His ever-generous father (v29)
• He bragged about himself; He was self-righteous (29-30)

“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 
Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

• He had bitter complaints about his father and his brother (29-30)
• He had to be begged to see reason (v28)
• He was ignorant of what was happening (25-26) and what could have been his (v31)

Let’s be the opposite of these in our walk with God! Let’s be loving and merciful. Let’s be bold in asking for God’s promised blessings! God will not get angry nor shame you.

Don’t be an ignorant Christian; get into God’s Word and dare Him for something great! He’s more than willing to give you. Heyy… you’re blessed!