Dan S. Shipley
Some have called it the greatest short story of all times. Others have
referred to it as the pearl of parables. Whether or not we agree, it is
not difficult to understand why the parable of the prodigal son (Lk. 15)
has come to be one of the best known texts of the Bible. Its message and
characters are easy to identify with. Its lessons are practical and timeless--like
those we learn from the young prodigal, for instance.
From him we learn that a man must come to himself before he can come
to God (v.17). This is the turning point in the story and in his life.
From his pigpen perspective he can see the vanity of self indulgence and
riotous living --- that man's life truly does not consist in the abundance
of his possessions (Lk. 12:15) or the transient pleasures they afford.
Like the apostle Paul, his concept of gain and loss has been radically
changed (Phil. 3:7,8). Now, he despises what he once yearned for and yearns
for what he once despised. That's the way it is when men come to themselves.
Some would say the prodigal had lost all. Money gone, friends gone, good-times
gone, humiliated and hungry out here with the pigs and so far from home!
Yet, amazingly, because he comes to himself, he comes to the threshold
of a greater inheritance--one that is incorruptible, and undefiled, and
that fadeth not away (I Pet. 1:4). What treasure to find in a pigpen!
But, in addition, the prodigal shows us that coming to self involves
coming to an awareness of personal sin: "I have sinned against heaven,
and in thy sight.." (v.18,21). To acknowledge sinning "against
heaven" implies Godly sorrow, the kind that "worketh- repentance
unto salvation" (2 Cor. 7:10). All sin is against God and no sin is
rectified without such realization and admission. It takes a truly humble
spirit to say, "I've been wrong" or, "I have sinned!".
Yet none come to God or return to God without it. Jesus speaks of such
when He says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit.. " (Matt. 5:3).
They seek no alibis, no excuses, no scapegoats. Like David they confess,
"Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil
in thy sight" (Ps.51:4). Such contriteness of spirit is fundamental
to righteousness. As someone has well said, "Lowliness is the beginning
of holiness".
Finally, as the prodigal comes to himself and sees his sin, he is also
made aware of his need. Those like the self righteous Pharisee see themselves
as whole and in no need of a physician. Others, like the prodigal and publican,
see themselves as lost sinners, desperately needing mercy and forgiveness.
Only as sinners see such a need do they resolve to do something about it.
"I will arise and go to my Father..." (v.18). And thusly do erring
sons come home to the Father and salvation.
Even now many sons, having left the Father, are blindly pursuing selfish
pleasures in the land of do-as-you-please. Not that they have necessarily
left their home town --- or even the church pew, but their heart is far
from the Lord (Matt.15:8). Yet He waits for such sons to come to themselves
and come home.
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