The Parable of the Loving Father

Scripture Lessons

Isaiah 12:1-6

Psalm 32

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Luke 15:1-3,11-32

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The parable from our gospel lesson today is often called, “the parable of the prodigal son.” I think perhaps it would better be known as, “the parable of the loving father.” This parable is given so that you may know better who God your heavenly Father is.

The gospel lesson begins, “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’” That is verses 1-2 and then we skip two other parables to arrive at verse 11 and the so-called “prodigal son” parable. The point is that Jesus told these parables in response to the hideous accusation that Jesus…eats with sinners and tax collectors!

I read the parable and you’ve heard it before, no doubt, so I will not read it over again. But, I will draw your attention to some details that ought not be overlooked.

There were two sons. The younger took his inheritance and “squandered [it] in reckless living.” There is no softening of his offense. He didn’t have good intentions gone wrong. I’m sure Disney would like to add some backstory to this younger son that would help purge him of any guilt. But God’s word doesn’t say that. He has no excuse. He simply wasted his father’s money in “reckless living.” The implication is a thoroughly hedonistic life. I would say that were we to hear of a story like this we would conclude that the son got what was coming to him. He got his just desserts.

So, he hired himself out and wound up looking after pigs. You must remember the Levitical law, and the uncleaness of pigs, to grasp the offense of this circumstance. He is feeding pigs and what is worse, desiring to eat after them! And no one gave him anything.” He is in a desperate situation of his own making. Nobody to blame but himself.

“But when he came to himself.” In other words, he had lost his mind. His behavior reflects that of a demented mind. But finally, he came to his senses. At that point he took stock and recalled how his father’s servants were treated better than he was presently. He planned to return to his father and he planned his entreaty. Pay close attention. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”

He travelled home and when his father saw him, he “felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” The son began his planned entreaty, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But he stopped. He left off that last bit about being treated as a hired servant. Did the father interrupt him? The text does not say specifically, but it seems like he did. Whether he interrupted or not, that last statement was not uttered. The father restored him, completely restored him to sonship and received him with great fanfare and celebration.

God rejoices in the redemption of lost and condemned sinners.

“Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

This is the parable of the loving father and it is a picture ofyou’re your heavenly Father who desires that you turn to Him and expect to receive good things from Him. He doesn’t need your service. He desires your contrition and trust in Him.

Were the son to have said, “Treat me as one of your hired servants,” as he had planned, he would have greatly insulted his father. “What kind of a father do you take me for?” he might have asked.

Ironically, the bitter protest of the older son reflects just such an insulting and offensive profession of the father’s character. The older son laments that he has served his father…as a slave serves a slavemaster…and received no celebratory party with his friends. Not only does the older son show contempt for his brother, neglecting to show compassion for his brother, glad to see him return. But the older son condemns his own good works done for his father over the preceding years. He condemns them because he says that those works were paid in expectation of receiving.

Parables use ordinary stories to tell of deeper theological truths. In the theological categories, to treat the father as a slavemaster who must be served is to put yourself under the law. That is what is happening with the Pharisees and scribes. They are likened to the older son who resents being kept under the law. But the father said, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” In other words… “You don’t need to work for my love. I love you. And if you went away and fell into reckless living, I would still love you. And if you returned, I would celebrate because you returned to receive the love that I bear toward you.”

This is a picture of your heavenly Father. In Jesus Christ, He has redeemed you from your sins. God celebrates when any lost sinner comes to their senses and returns in contrition to the love of God. Jesus said, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.