The Prodigal Sons

But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out...
Text: Luke 15

“You can rebel against God and be alienated from Him either by breaking His rules or by keeping all of them diligently.” —Tim Keller

Both the younger son and the older son rebelled against their father.

The father went out to them both:

• 20 But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
• 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him...

The rebellion against the father looked very different, but both sons illustrated the spiritual condition of the people of Israel.

The younger son was a picture of the tax collector and sinners. The older son was a picture of the Pharisees, who believed that the way to gain favor with God was through strict observance of the Law.

The younger son's repentance was obvious--he returned home broken, desperate, and needy. The older son never physically left home. But sadly, his heart was far from home. He was proud, prosperous, and self-righteous.

In this parable, Jesus is pointing out the drastic difference between God's delight when sinners come home and the Pharisees' rigid hostility toward sinners. As Nate pointed out yesterday, God desires a relationship with His children. He delights when we accurately assess our own spiritual condition, realizing even our righteous acts are considered filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

Will you run to Jesus today and admit your sin? Will you see the Father running toward you in the person of Jesus and the cross? Will you receive God's grace and then allow God's grace to flow out of you toward other undeserving sinners this week?