When we read through the parable of the prodigal son, it is clear that the first son is lost—we even read spiritual language in the father’s description of his salvation: “He was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found” (v. 24, 32; cf. Romans 6:11)—but a closer look at the parable reveals that it is both sons who are lost.

…but he answered his father, “Look, these many years have I served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.” (Luke 15:29)

The older son exposes his own alienation from the father in his words:

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11:38 am  •  17 May 2012  •  1 note

Take some time to read through the parable of the prodigal son. At Logos on Wednesday we even had some youth bring the parable to life. Jesus is an expert story-teller, and even though the parable is primarily directed at the Pharisees, it reveals a lot about the heart of God for the lost.

But while he [the younger son] was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

A few things we can notice about the father in the story:

• How he deals with sin.  The father interrupts the son before he can finish his rehearsed plea for forgiveness. Sin has a punishment of its own and because of His grace (and Christ’s sacrifice) there is no further punishment for his sin.
• He appears quite foolish. The father had every right to severely punish his son (see Deuteronomy 21), but he doesn’t because of compassion. Also, the father runs to his son, something that is shameful for an old man, especially given the added insult of the son’s prior rejection. (Asking for his inheritance is the equivalent of wishing him dead.)
• His heart for repentance. A repentant heart is more valuable to God than any amount of righteous behaviour (see Luke 15:7, 10).
• How he receives repentance. The father recognizes in the son genuine repentance and immediately forgives him, reinstating him in the house as a full member of the family.

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. (Psalm 103:13)

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11:13 am  •  4 May 2012  •  1 note