“I will arise and go to my father.” - Luke 15:18
Among the many problems plaguing our society is the issue of disrespect. When I was growing up, I was taught to respect my parents, teachers and those in authority. These days, it is rather common to see children treat their parents with disrespect. They talk back to their parents and act selfishly. These children grow up to be adults that disrespect a boss at work (leading to unemployment), disrespect a spouse (resulting to divorce) and disrespect those in law enforcement (leading to legal issues). Thus, we see adults burning the American flag, leading riots and destroying property.
In the Bible, the poster boy for disrespect was the prodigal son. The disrespect he showed his father was sickening. When he came to age, the boy asked for his inheritance. Basically, he told his father he couldn't wait for him to die. He wanted his inheritance now. Furthermore, he let it be know that life at home was not good enough for him. Showing disrespect for his father and home, the boy took his inheritance and hit the road.
The Bible teaches us that we reap what we sow. The prodigal son was going to learn this lesson the hard way. At first, everything was going the way he wanted. He was living it up. He partied. He celebrated. He had a good time. Until the money ran out.
For the prodigal son, everything fell apart fast. He lost his money and his “friends.” Soon he found himself feeding swine. In fact, things got so bad that he envied the swine. They were eating better than he was.
Sin deceives. It promises much and delivers little. We think we are getting what we want only to discover that sin is like acid. It quickly eats away everything it touches. There are prodigal sons and daughters in our land today. Those who began with a bright future are now in the gutter. Those who seemed so brilliant have become fools. Some who were once beautiful are now skin and bones … a shell of what they once were.
Sin shows no mercy. It drags a person to the lowest depths and then prompts them to dig deeper. James put it this way. “But every man is tempt, he drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when is finished, bringeth forth death.”
The devil is diabolical. He tempts a person by telling him, “You can always seek forgiveness later,” and after the man sins, the same devil says, “You've sinned too much to be forgiven now.”
The prodigal son had lost everything. He had mistreated his family. He had lost his fortune. He lost a place to live. Now he is feeding swine. Not the kind of job you want to tell others about at the high school reunion.
Yet at his lowest point, the Bible says, “he came to himself.” We like to refer to this as a light bulb that comes on in his head. It is like waking up from a coma. The young man realized that his family is back home safe, sound and eating well. At that moment, he made the decision to go home.
This is where most people miss the mark. They would rather stay in the pig pen and claim that they don't need God or others. Most are too proud to admit that they need help. They are in trouble but blame others for their dilemma. Whether it is alcoholism, drug addiction, anger, lust, or some other sin, they refuse to leave the pig pen.
The prodigal son left the pig pen. He recited a speech to humbly offer his father. He would offer to become just a hired servant. There were four things that happened as part of his turnaround. He realized, remembered, repented and returned. He realized his situation. He remembered how he got in the mess while also remembering how good things were at home. He repented. He had a change of mind. He came to himself. Finally, he returned home.
The story of the prodigal son is really more about the father than the son. The father saw his son coming home. He saw him from afar. He must have been looking for him. He ran to meet his son. He welcomed him home as a son and threw a great party in celebration of his son's return.
The story teaches us about the depravity of sin and the grace of God. Despite the degree of the son's sin, the father had more than ample mercy to show him. As we celebrate Father's Day this weekend, let us rejoice that we have a Father who rejoices each time he welcomes a prodigal home.
Perhaps you are that prodigal. Maybe you've made bad decisions. Your hopes and dreams may be nothing but ashes. You've wasted many years in sin. It is incomprehensible that God would welcome you home. Yet He is looking for you. With arms wide open, He'll welcome you. He'll rejoice to see you coming.
Come home today.
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