Context
The interpretation of parables can be so confusing, especially when we try to allegorize them. Was the prodigal son a saved man who backslid, then returned? Or was he saved when he returned to the Father in repentance? And who is the older brother - the already saved in the church?
That is not how parables are meant to be read.
First of all, they are about life in the kingdom of God and are seldom about salvation issues. When you read about the prodigal son, don't try to figure out issues of salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ. Jesus wasn't teaching evangelism here.
Second, parables are illustrations of one, or perhaps a couple of major points about the nature of God and the kingdom. Look for those key points here.
Third, context often helps. Sometimes, Jesus interprets the parable - that helps a lot! But sometimes we can learn great lessons from parables.
So, what lessons can we learn from the prodigal?
That is not how parables are meant to be read.
First of all, they are about life in the kingdom of God and are seldom about salvation issues. When you read about the prodigal son, don't try to figure out issues of salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ. Jesus wasn't teaching evangelism here.
Second, parables are illustrations of one, or perhaps a couple of major points about the nature of God and the kingdom. Look for those key points here.
Third, context often helps. Sometimes, Jesus interprets the parable - that helps a lot! But sometimes we can learn great lessons from parables.
So, what lessons can we learn from the prodigal?
- The love and forgiveness of God. The father runs out to great his son even after all he did. The context shows this to be key. Jesus just told the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. Now, this is about a lost son. Each story is about the joy of a sinner repenting.
- But there is another story here, and that is the older brother and his resentment, clearly meant as a barb toward the religionists, those who did not believe they were sinners or in need of forgiveness. Self-righteous and resentful, he did not understand the joy of seeing sinners return.
Devotional - Sought By Heaven
It is one of the great ironies of modern life that we spend so much time seeking and trying to convince ourselves of our self-worth; to build our self-esteem. We look inward for our worth, ignoring the reality of our sin and its effects.
The irony is that the gospel that confronts us with our sin and guilt before God also is the only source of true worth and value we have. Our worth is not found in ignoring our sin but in admitting it and receiving the glories of God's forgiveness and grace.
Look at Luke 15:1-10 which tells two stories. The first is of a sheep that is lost, having wandered away from the other 99. The second story is similar, a story of one coin of ten that has been lost. In both stories, the owner goes looking for what is lost and does not quit until it is found.
Jesus leaves no doubt about the meaning of these parables when he says in verse 10:
Our value is found in God's love, in the fact that he seeks us out when we are lost. He pursues us. Salvation is not so much about me finding God as it is about God seeking me and my response. God doesn't sit back demanding that we work our way back to him, but he desires us and seeks us.
My worth and value is found in that love. When I look at my failings and weaknesses I can become insecure and discouraged. But when I remember the amazing love of God I am secure in him.
Think about this, my friend. Ever hear someone talk about "seeking God?" I was seeking God, looking for God, on a hunt for God. NO! No, no, no! We are running from God in sin. It is God who is seeking us. We are the lost coin and he is hunting for us. We are the lost sheep and the Good Shepherd seeks us. We are the prodigal whom the father runs to greet. And heaven rejoices when the sinner repents!
Is there any truth more blessed that this one? It is not you who must seek God, but it is God who is seeking you!
The irony is that the gospel that confronts us with our sin and guilt before God also is the only source of true worth and value we have. Our worth is not found in ignoring our sin but in admitting it and receiving the glories of God's forgiveness and grace.
Look at Luke 15:1-10 which tells two stories. The first is of a sheep that is lost, having wandered away from the other 99. The second story is similar, a story of one coin of ten that has been lost. In both stories, the owner goes looking for what is lost and does not quit until it is found.
Jesus leaves no doubt about the meaning of these parables when he says in verse 10:
I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.That is an amazing love. We are sinners who have rebelled against God and lived for ourselves instead of for his glory. But still, heaven rejoices when a guilty, stained, sin-saturated sinner repents.
Our value is found in God's love, in the fact that he seeks us out when we are lost. He pursues us. Salvation is not so much about me finding God as it is about God seeking me and my response. God doesn't sit back demanding that we work our way back to him, but he desires us and seeks us.
My worth and value is found in that love. When I look at my failings and weaknesses I can become insecure and discouraged. But when I remember the amazing love of God I am secure in him.
Think about this, my friend. Ever hear someone talk about "seeking God?" I was seeking God, looking for God, on a hunt for God. NO! No, no, no! We are running from God in sin. It is God who is seeking us. We are the lost coin and he is hunting for us. We are the lost sheep and the Good Shepherd seeks us. We are the prodigal whom the father runs to greet. And heaven rejoices when the sinner repents!
Is there any truth more blessed that this one? It is not you who must seek God, but it is God who is seeking you!
Lord, thank you for your amazing love that gives me true and eternal worth.
Think and Pray
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