So he got up and went to his father. ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms round him and kissed him. ‘The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” ‘But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:20-24 NIVUK
In the Philippines they have an interesting tradition. We try to visit family there every two or three years. It’s always emotional to see them all again, especially if between times there’s been a super typhoon or an earthquake or a global pandemic. It all adds to the welcome we get when we arrive.
But they don’t throw a party.
You see, the Philippines has adopted the Spanish tradition of a Despidida, a farewell party. So instead of gathering to say ‘Hello’, they gather to say ‘Goodbye’.
This is one incredible ‘Hello’.
The younger son is on his way home. He’s pretty desperate. He has nothing to show for his time overseas except torn clothing, aching feet and the distinct smell of pigs and sweat. It's been a long, and likely highly uncomfortable, journey. He’s on his last legs and on the last leg. He’s likely rehearsing his speech to his father in the hope that his appeal will work and he’ll get a job and a place to stay.
His father sees him approaching. He’s heard all the rumours about his son and his debauched goings on in another country. And there he is: about to show up back home, completely unannounced.
Now, it’s at this point that the traditional Jewish moral tale and Jesus’ parable diverge.
The Jewish moral tale was designed to scare their young men straight. In their version, the tearaway son turns up at his father’s home, bangs on the door and the father disowns him right then and there. The son is not welcome. He’s no longer his father’s son.
He is finished.
And, if we’re really honest, there are many of us who would do precisely the same thing. And why not? He has disgraced his country. He has disgraced the family. He has likely been the subject of idle gossip and rumour. Everyone seems to know what he’s done. They will be casting aspersions on the father’s parenting ability. Calling into question his morality.
Particularly as the father gave him the means. Maybe he supported what his younger son did. That's what they will say.
Because that is what happens, isn’t it? Ignorant people with not a clue about the truth invent lies to pass the time and entertain themselves. Next thing you know, no-one cares if it’s true or not, only if it’s amusing.
Who could blame any parent in that situation for disowning their child? Right?
Not this father. Not at all.
In fact, there are seven signs here that the father has accepted his failed younger son back into his family.
First is his compassion for his son. He saw his son from a distance. The word used for ‘compassion’ is more illustrative than simply ‘had pity on’ or ‘felt sorry for’.
No, he saw his son far off, saw his wretched state, and felt something akin to a gut punch – a deep knot in his stomach. It is this compassion, this deep emotion with almost a physical manifestation, that drives the other reactions.
Secondly, we see his motion. He does not care what anyone else thinks. He sees his son, feels compassion and runs towards him.
Commentators differ on whether this would or would not be dignified behaviour in their culture, but I don’t think that's the point. His son is a wastrel who is paying a very high price for his sin. But his father is not angry at his moral collapse. Instead, he sees his poor son, struggling, filthy and dirt poor, and runs from his home to meet him, likely in full view of his village.
Thirdly, devotion. He grasps his son and kisses him – the Greek indicates repetition, so he kisses him again and again and again.
Fourthly, exaltation. His son is wearing filthy, worn-out clothes. He calls for a new robe to cover his wretched state and lift him up in his own eyes and the eyes of other people.
Fifthly, restoration. Promotion from what the son thought. He’d left as a carefree, but workshy, son. He came back looking for a position as a care-laden employee. His father hears none of it. The ring he is given restores him to a position of authority in the family.
Sixthly, liberation. Slaves did not wear sandals. They walked around barefoot. Placing sandals on his son’s likely filthy dirty, cut and blistered feet set him free from being a servant or a slave.
Seventhly, celebration. Here is where there is a stroke of irony. This son had completely wasted one third of his father’s estate on raucous partying. But here is his father, who would have worked hard to build up that estate, now throwing a party for the return of that self same son. And instead of chancers and ne’er-do-wells, the likelihood is that at least the whole household, if not the entire village, would be invited.
Now, that’s a welcome!
It’s a welcome that defies social convention, ignores public opinion, even sets aside the legal possibility for the right to recourse for the damage this son has caused.
Instead, it’s a reaction that sees his broken, repentant son and welcomes him home.
This is a truly wonderful example of what grace means.
Because Jesus is telling us a wonderful truth here. Each time a broken sinner repents, the same blessings the younger son received are theirs:
Compassion from their Heavenly Father, not harsh judgement or a desire for revenge.
Motion – if we take one step towards God, we can be guaranteed that He will take many more towards us.
Devotion – our Heavenly Father will welcome us home with the warmth of His love.
Exaltation – where the world has cast us down and tried to break us, our Heavenly Father will lift us up.
Restoration – where sin has ground us down and tried to steal from us our place in God’s family, our Heavenly Father will restore us.
Liberation – we will be set free from sin’s deadly chains and given the opportunity to live life to the fullest.
Celebration – As Jesus has already said, there is rejoicing in Heaven when even one sinner repents (Luke 15:10).
The temporary pleasures of sin are nothing compared to this.
So wouldn’t you rather come home? Wouldn’t you rather be found?
Prayer
Father God, I’ve had enough of running and hiding. Nothing compares to the deep and lasting joy of being home with you. I renounce right now the things I thought and did that estranged me from you and I repent of them. Bring me home, Lord Jesus. I want to be found. Amen.
Questions
1. If you had a son who had did what this son did, would you welcome him home like this? Why/why not?
2. What does this teach us about God’s nature and His heart for people who are lost? How can we be more like Him?
3. How do the pleasures of sin compare to the joys of coming home? Wouldn’t you rather come home to God?
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