11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20 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. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “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. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
CLEARLY, fathers ARE important to a family. But, does that mean that a father will ALWAYS do what is right? Well, that would be nice wouldn't it? But, of course, we all know that’s not true. Dads fail. Dads fall short more often than we would care to admit.
The reality is: We ALL make mistakes. We ALL fall short. Any good dad will also often wonder if his failures have damaged his family in some way. Been there, done that.
This punk of a son was rude, arrogant and self-centered. He actually, couldn’t wait for dear old dad to die so he could get his hands on His inheritance! What a precious little darling!
You see, this is NOT a story about a dad who failed. It’s a story about a dad who understood his job. He was "doin’ work" as a dad like it WAS his job. He protected his home from becoming overwhelmed by this ridiculous unfiltered world we live in. He protected his home from the same world which had lured his son away and warped his son’s moral compass. This dad did his best to maintain a God centered home.
The reality is: We ALL make mistakes. We ALL fall short. Any good dad will also often wonder if his failures have damaged his family in some way. Been there, done that.
But, here in Luke 15, we have a dad, for the purpose of the parable, who really did do EVERYTHING right. He did everything right because the dad in the story represents God Himself. So, he was faultless. This dad did do it all right. And yet, his boy still couldn’t stand to be in the same house with him.
This punk of a son was rude, arrogant and self-centered. He actually, couldn’t wait for dear old dad to die so he could get his hands on His inheritance! What a precious little darling!
This parable is usually called the parable of: “the lost son” or “the prodigal son”. That title puts all the focus and emphasis on this ornery rascal of a son. But, you know, as a dad myself, I see this as much a story about a faithful dad and his methods for dealing with a “lost or prodigal son”. If it was me, I would name this parable: “The Faithful Father” or “Faithful Parent”.
You see, this is NOT a story about a dad who failed. It’s a story about a dad who understood his job. He was "doin’ work" as a dad like it WAS his job. He protected his home from becoming overwhelmed by this ridiculous unfiltered world we live in. He protected his home from the same world which had lured his son away and warped his son’s moral compass. This dad did his best to maintain a God centered home.
Praise the Lord for dads like this who don't give up. Praise the Lord for faithful parents who trust in and wait upon the Lord. Allowing the "prodigal son" to go out on his own and sow his oats was not the end of this story. This dad did his best to maintain a God-centered home. Resentment, rebellion, rudeness, and rejection had a temporary hold on his son. But this faithful father would not allow those things to take over his home or the rest of his family. The result in the end was that this faithful father ultimately got his son back.
Can I just tell ya something? This faithful dad was successful because he took his job seriously. He purposed in his heart to have a God-centered home.
This entry is taken from my notes for the sermon: "Faithful Parenting". Click the link to listen to the entire sermon. This is the fourth sermon in a series. The entire sermon series audio is available here:
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