The Son Who Came Back

Luke 15:11-24

11. And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

These two sons had much in common: the same father, environment, and

inheritance. But, they acted in differently towards their father. Likewise,

each of us must decide how we act towards God.

13. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

The younger son used his father’s riches to satisfy his lusts and dishonor his

father. In order to do so, he put a great distance between himself and his

father. So it is with many today.

14. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

“And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”

Psalms 106:15

God will sometimes grant a foolish request, but with the request will send

“leanness”. This is done in love, because God wants this leanness to bring

that wayward sheep back to him.

17. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19. And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

This man “came to himself”. He saw his own foolishness and could not deny

the results of it. He had thought that leaving his father would provide the

things that he wanted, but now he had nothing. He realized that he had

sinned and that his only hope was to turn around and go straight back to

where he came from. This is still the only hope for those who are far from

God today. This is called “repentance” in God’s word. It is a change of heart

that results in a complete change of direction.

20. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,

thou understandest my thought afar off.”

Psalms 139:2

Oh, God sees our heart even when we are far away from him! God has

such great compassion! The son “came” to his father, but the father “ran” to

his son. So it is with those who recognize their own sin and are willing to

repent. God does not make that person just a servant, but welcomes

them as a son…..a much beloved son! God’s forgiveness is absolute!

21. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over one sinner that repenteth.”

Luke 15:10

“Even when we were dead in sins,

hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace

in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Ephesians 2:5-9

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28