What unfathomable Grace was poured out for you and for me on the cross. In the previous post, we looked at how One Son, the Son of the Living God, willingly lay aside all the comforts of home to humbly live and die in our place. He laid aside His powers, to surrender Himself fully dependent on His Father and the Holy Spirit to work through Him. Willingly, He subjected Himself to ridicule, hunger, pain, fatigue, and ultimately the cruel beatings followed by death on a roman cross.
He commended His spirit into the hands of His Father, knowing the ultimate wrath of God must be poured upon Him. That was the only way to justly forgive the sins of those who would come to accept His gift of salvation. Our sins, my sins are many. Yet, He paid the price that then it might be said. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ.” Romans 8:1
So, with all that, let us now look at this parable and break it down; but first we will pause to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Two Sons
11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons.
Some see this parable as a story about the lost sinner who comes to repentance. Perhaps if one thinks of it as God already knowing who will come to salvation, that could be considered. However, what about the Christian who has walked and enjoyed the fellowship of God for a time, then decides the temptations of this world look more exciting. He does not stop being a son, he just rebels and chooses not to seek worldly pleasures for a season.
It is pure grace that reaches out to save a sinner. But what unfathomable grace it would take to receive with open arms one who so blatantly walked away after knowing His Father’s love. He, knowing His Father, now is saying, “You are not enough!” That is like a knife cutting deep the Father’s heart.
One Son Leaves Home
12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So, he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with [d]prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the [e]pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
Note here: the younger son might be representative of a younger Christian not fully grounded in his faith. The brother is not mentioned here; but apparently did not try to guide his younger brother to make wiser choices. How often as Christians do we do that to our brothers and sisters in Christ?
Furthermore is it not unfathomable grace that the Father would so quickly give his son what he asked for. There must have already been some discord known by the Father who patiently loved His Son and wanted the best for Him.
A Eager Father Awaits
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
Again, would he have known there was a Father and a home had he not walked with him at some point. Those who are not sons are often content to live with the pigs and their frivolous lifestyles. But a Christian will never find peace or contentment apart from the Father.
20 “And he arose and came to his father. But 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.
Imagine this!! The father must have been looking out the window every day, anticipating the return of his son. God waits for us every day that we are away from Him. He knows His plans for us are the best. His celebration is already planned for us. Such unfathomable grace to be loved with the depth of the Father for His son.
A Broken and Contrite Heart
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.’
Much like King David when he prayed as recorded in Psalm 51. What a perfect prayer for us when we return with a broken and contrite heart to our Heavenly Father. Look at the father’s response.
22 “But the father said to his servants, [f]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
We too are restored by wondrous grace and forgiveness of God; because of the One Son—Jesus Christ who is always at the right hand of God making intercession for us.
Another Son
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 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’
28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
Do we ever as Christians do the same? When someone else who has not been working as hard or as long for the Kingdom is suddenly blessed? And we are not? What about those who have fallen? Do we go after them? Furthermore, do we truly forgive them?
One Father’s Unfathomable Grace Displayed
31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad. For your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”
What Unfathomable grace and forgiveness this Father gives to the second son as well. And what unfathomable Grace is that of our heavenly Father for us. Which son are you? Would you come today in repentance to the Father who loves you so? Or if you do not know Him, come to Him today. Today is the day of salvation!
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.