|
|
|
Looking a little bit this week into the parable that is typically called "the prodigal son".
When we examine the parable we see that it is really a parable about two sons. This parable offers many spiritual illustrations, generally speaking the parable points to the fact that one soul that has been delivered, that has salvation through Christ's sacrifice, is worth more than the entire world and everything in it. It is quite marvelous.
"And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." - Mark 8:34-38.
One thing that should also be noted about the parable is that Christ leaves no doubt that salvation is in no way based upon ones own merits. The prodigal son did not deserve to be exhalted or reinstated to his former lifestyle, but in goodness he was. Jesus also related similar teaching in the parable of the vineyard laborers:
"For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." - Matthew 20:1-16.
It is also seen in the parable of the two sons:
"But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him." - Matthew 21:28-32.
In the parable of the prodigal son, verse 18 of Luke 15, is a very important verse in the parable because it involves repentance:
"I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee" - Luke 15:18.
Sin is against God and all that is good and lovely; through inspiration Joseph declared:
"There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" - Genesis 39:9.
In verse 20 of Luke 15 we read that the prodigal sons father was the only one who came running to greet him. Likewise, only God can save someone. God does not save one because they repent; God forgives people because they are His children and salvation is through grace alone.
The father after greeting the son who has returned asks that the best robe be put upon him:
"But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet" - Luke 15:22.
This is an illusion to Christ Himself; note the similar language in the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah 3:
"And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by" - Zechariah 3:4-5.
Finally we see a portrait of salvation as the son who was lost has now returned; he was likened as dead by his father just as we are dead in our transgressions before Christ saved us:
"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." - Colossians 2:13-15.
|