‘When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” So he got up and went to his father.
Luke 15:17-20 NIVUK
On more than one occasion, we have been overseas in an unfamiliar place, not sure of where we are, not sure of how to get where we need to be, and have had that sinking feeling of being lost.
Before technology gave us the means, we would often have to ask locals for directions.
That can be a bit of a lottery. Some try to help, but language gets in the way, which leads to a lot of pointing and nodding.
Others ignored us, knowing that they were not able to help.
A few gave us directions that were incorrect.
Often, we would do the one thing that would help: retrace our steps to the last place where we knew where we were and start again.
That is what the younger son does. And before we look at this text in detail, there is one point we need to fully realise:
It would not have been easy for him.
Realising that you’ve wasted your resources and your time in vain pursuits and have nothing worthwhile to show for it is a deeply painful thing. Most of all, our pride is deeply wounded.
But this is a necessary step. Just as this younger son cannot get his life back on track without returning home, neither can we stop bring lost until we realise that we are lost and need to be found.
The younger son wakes as if from a dream that has left him. Instead of being the insatiable party animal who threw his money to the wind like confetti at a wedding, he comes to his senses and becomes someone he hasn’t been for some time – perhaps as long as he can remember.
He becomes himself.
Gone are the raucous parties, the riotous noise and colour and the reprehensible behaviour. He is all on his own now. He has no audience to play to and win their affection.
Perhaps this is why recent generations have been so frenetic and feared silence.
Because it is in silence that we come to our senses.
He has three realisations as he feeds these pigs:
· He is uncared for – yet the least servant in his father’s house is much better off then him
· He is unrighteous – he is a sinner, and note that he neither apportions blame elsewhere or tries to say that he his a good person who did something bad. No. He has sinned against God and his father.
· He is unworthy. His conduct has depreciated him in his own eyes. He realises that he cannot measure up the standards expected in his father’s household. He has fallen short of the mark. He has no expectation of anything other than humble service, where he can at least receive a salary and have something to eat and drink.
And so, deeply chastened and humbled by his shocking position, he heads home.
Now, we have to remember, this younger son fled to a far country in a foolish attempt to escape his father’s reach. He has a long way to go home.
This will not be an easy journey. Not one bit. Especially when he has no money and would not be able to sleep at the inns en route (as he likely did on the way out).
But at least at the other end he will have somewhere to lay his head and something to eat.
I don’t know anyone who would wish a situation like this even on their worst enemy. Being at rock bottom is one of the worst places you can ever be. The only thing that is worst is if you decide to stay there.
At least this younger son had the common sense to go home.
Just think for a second about the man to whom he was going home:
His father, of whose estate he had squandered a third
His father, whose hard work he had despised.
His father, whose morals he had trampled underfoot.
Going back to his father was not at all an easy decision to take.
But when this younger brother woke up and came to his senses, it was the only decision he could take.
My hope and prayer is that, as you read these lines, you will do the same.
When you realise that you have sinned against God, you sometimes convince yourself that you have gone too far, that He can’t forgive you. Nothing could be further from the truth:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 NIVUK
No exceptions. No asterisks. No small print.
If we confess like the younger son, we will be forgiven.
So, come on! What are you waiting for? It’s time to come home.
Prayer
Father God, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not worthy to be called your child. But thank you, Lord Jesus, that because you died for me on the cross, that’s exactly who I am. I am done with being lost. I want t to come home to you and live life your way, right now. Help me, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Questions
1. What leads the younger brother to head home? Why do you think it sometimes takes this for us to realise that we are lost?
2. Why could it have been hard for the younger son to head home? Why was it the only decision he could take?
3. Why is it sometimes hard for us to come home to God? Are you willing to overcome this and come home?
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