Running Father
Luke 15:11-12
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.
The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
- What did the father think when his younger son asked for the inheritance?
Facts of the story according to Jewish Law:
- if the father assigned his goods to his son after his death:
o father cannot sell the goods
o son cannot sell it because it is in his fathers possession
o if the father sold them- they are sold only until he dies
o if the son sold them – the buyer has no claim until his father dies
- Jewish Law of inheritance
o The father initiates the action of dividing the property
o The sons could not initiate it
o Stipulation of the division was done before his death:
Father still retains the rights and privileges
Son can sell the property and receive cash for the sell
But, the buyer cannot take possession until after the father dies
Father may enjoy the income from assets for his own provision though he no longer owns anything
Stipulations were done by the Sanhedrin to:
- protect the father
- make certain that the father is properly cared in his old age
- How should the elder brother respond to the present family crisis?
Responsibility of the first born:
- mediator
- he will set his brother straight
- not accept the inheritance
- and not be silent
Deuteronomy 21:17
He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father's strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him
Luke 15:13
“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.
Father did not impose on his sons decisions.
Both of his sons possess freedom to make their own choice:
o younger one leaves
o older choose to be silent
Luke 15:14-16
After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
Luke 15:17
“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!
Poverbs17:22
A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers
Luke 15:18-20
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 men.’ So he got up and went to his father.
Motivation to go home: POVERTY and HARDSHIP in life
Servants : honorable class of people
He thinks he can work his way to his father.
In Jewish Theology, the concept of repentance centers on the idea of return.
The person who repents is restored by his return to the God who loves his
people
“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.
Old men do not run; (sign of humiliation) running and lifting garments was
disgraceful
The son should run to his father
What did the father give instead:
- grace
- reconciliation
- forgiveness
Luke 15:21
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
- genuine repentance – son cannot work his way to his father
- the father gives his forgiveness
- there is nothing that we do to buy our way to the father
What was the problem being solved?
Is it the squandered money or the inheritance? (law of inheritance)
Or is it the broken relationship between the father and son?
Luke 15:22
“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.
ROBE…RING…..SANDALS
Best Robe and Ring
Genesis 41:42
Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
Robe: sign of dignity and honor
1 Samuel 18:3-4
And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Isaiah 22:1
I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah
Ring – sign of authority
“Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger.”
Esther 8:2
The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate.
Esther 8:8
Now write another decree in the king's name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king's signet ring—for no document written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”
Sandals/Shoes – a sign of not being a servant.
Luke 15:23-24
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.
Isaiah 25:6 (God provided for the penitent class)
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
Luke 15:25-27
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.
‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.
Luke 15:28
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
Older brother:
- refused to join the celebration
- did not listen to his fathers plea
Luke 15:29
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.
Review the facts:
- 2/3 of the inheritance
- Slaving/working – relationship was a master/servant relationship
- Relationship was based on work and not love.
- Also lost like his younger brother (worst is he does not even know it)
Luke 15:30
But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
- son of yours – did not consider as a brother
- accused his brother without really knowing what happened
Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
Luke 15:31-32
” ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
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.’ ”
Proverbs 27:11
My son be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproach me.
3 main characters
Father
Elder brother
Younger brother
Time of Jesus
Father The Lord/Jesus
Elder brother Law makers, the priest, the Pharisee
Younger brother Tax collectors/sinners
Current time
Father Church
Elder Brother Hypocrite Christian, disciples
Younger Brother people who fell away from the church, the non Christians
God’s response
- With Love, humility and by his grace openly accepts the “younger bro’s”
- Explains and reminds the “elder bro’s”
Elder brother
- deeply look into himself and evaluate what he already had
- evaluate the kind of relationship to his father
Younger brother
- repentance with sincerity
- be reminded of God’s love and the restoration that was done
- be grateful of what God has given to him
- forgiveness is not earned by doing works but it is given
In conclusion
- God’s forgiveness is freely given, it is by grace that we have been saved
- Genuine repentance receives God’s forgiveness
- The Parable was about the rejoicing Father
- The parable was about God reaching out for his lost people to be reconciled back to Him.
- God’s people should rejoice at:
o The willingness of sinners to turn to God
o The willingness of God to receive them
(RZIM )
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