Leave the Pig Pen

The prodigal son......one of the best parables Jesus told, in my opinion.  It showed the unconditional love of a father, forgiveness and grace.  I am quite familiar with the story as is most anyone who studies the Word, but teaching it last Sunday gave me a fresh look on this story.

It starts in Luke 15:11.  Let me break the story down for you.  There was a father who was wealthy and had two sons.  The younger one wanted to sow his wild oats, so to speak, so he asked his father for his half of the inheritance now.  The father obliged and the son took off with his pockets full and not a care in the world.  It didn't take long for him to squander the entire inheritance.....on wild living (mainly prostitutes).  So, he aquired a job as a farmhand and his job was to feed the pigs.  He was so destitute and so hungry, he considered eating the pig slop.  He came to his senses and thought - "This is dumb!  My father's servants get treated better than this!  I am not worthy to be called my father's son but I will go back and see if he will hire me as one of his servants; at least then I will get food to eat and not have to live like this."  So he headed home. 

The father went out on this day and looked down the road and saw his son.  He didn't even wait for him to get to the house....he rushed out to meet him, embraced and kissed him.  He then told his servants to get the best robe, sandals and a signet ring for his son then slaughter the fatten calf to eat.  It was time to party!  So, the older son came in from the fields and heard the party going on and asked what was happening and when he found out it was in honor of the youngest son (who ran off and blew all their dad's money on sex and parties), he was angry and wouldn't even go into the party.  His father came out and said - "I have always had you here with me.  But your brother - he was dead and now alive; he was lost now is found."

Good stuff. 

Jesus spoke in parables a lot.  It is relatable and a story is easy to remember.  When I asked the youth to open to Luke 11, they had no idea what story it was.  But as soon as they saw the title "Parable of the Lost Son", a few were like 'ohhhhhhh yea'.   Jesus spoke in stories to get the point across and to make it personable so we can relate to it no matter if it was then or now.

So, what struck me deep in my spirit was towards the end of the story....

"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 around him and kissed him." - Luke 15:20

I know my kids.  I have a son and daughter and I can pick them out of a crowded room.  I can see them walking down the street in the dark with other kids their age and know which is them.  I know their mannerisms, the way they walk .... I know them.

This father was wealthy.  He was, more than likely, not out in the fields working (he had servants), he probably wasn't outside in the heat milking a cow nor was he probably outside getting water (that was the woman's job).  So for his father to see him, he had to be outside.  I believe that the father went outside every day to watch for his son.  I believe he would go outside and look down the dusty road and every day be disappointed as he went back inside.  It probably got to the point that the servants were rolling their eyes and saying "There he goes again.  Doesn't he realize his son is probably dead?"   That father never gave up the hope that his son would return to 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.’" -Luke 15:21

The son was ashamed of his actions.  He knew he was trying to fill something in his life with the things of the world.  He went out thinking it was a better way of life.  The excitement and the thrill was too enticing to resist.  However, once he was out there, he realized that he had made a grave mistake.  His father's house was better than the world.  Guilt settled in and he walked home with his head hung low.   

“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 15:22-24

And yet this father didn't even ask where he had been, didn't scold him, didn't call him irresponsible nor did he say I told you so.  He had let his son go.....had let him learn a hard lesson.  However, when he returned, he welcomed him with love and compassion.  He clothed him in the best, he put a signet ring on his finger which was a sign of ownership.  He was saying - THIS is my son!

This is our relationship with our heavenly Father.  Sometimes we feel we need the world more than Him.  We feel we know what is best and sometimes, just like earthly parents, God lets us go to learn a hard lesson.   Even so, he is waiting by His house.  He goes out every day to look to see if we are coming back to Him.  Every day He waits with the expectation and hope that today is the day.  Then.....one day.....He sees a silhouette.  God the Father knows His children better than I know my own.  As He sees the silhouette coming down the road, He knows it is His child.  He rushes out to meet him (or her) and embraces him with compassion and love, never questioning or condemning.  He is merely happy that we have come back home to Him.  So much so, that He throws a party in our honor!

When we give up the world for God, however, sometimes those that don't understand will get angry....just like the older brother.  They don't understand why the world no longer is appealing, they don't understand why you want to go to church instead of going to a party, they don't understand why you don't make decisions frivilously but take everything to prayer, they don't understand why you are so excited about your Father that you talk about Him all the time.....people tend to grow angry at things they don't understand.

When we live in the world, sometimes we feel guilty or ashamed at what we have done.  "If you only knew the things I have done!" is a common statement.  I just want to say - "If you only knew the things I have done......but God has redeemed me!"   The son could have tried to clean up, look presentable and go see his father.  He could have, but he didn't.  He went just as he was, covered in his actions and shame.  There was no need to cover up what he had done because his father already knew.  All he could do was to come to him and say "here I am".   That is like our heavenly Father....he doesn't want us to clean up our sin before coming to Him.  He wants us to come just as we are.

In a couple weeks, it will mark the 8th 're-birthday' for Matt and I.  March 6 is the date we both accepted Christ.  It was the day that we walked down that dusty road, ashamed and dirty, feeling like we were not worthy to be called His son or daughter.  It was the day we left the pig pen and headed to our Father's house.  It was that day, He embraced us and kissed us and said Welcome Home.....

My daughter (and son) was dead but now they are alive; they were lost but now they are found.