The Prodigal Son

Why does Jesus tell the parable of the prodigal son? The answer is right at the beginning of Luke chapter 15, where we read: Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus responded to the sharp criticism with three parables:

1. The parable of the lost sheep
2. The parable of the lost coin
3. The parable of the lost son (or, as we know it, the parable of the prodigal son)

All three parables are about recovering the lost. Jesus tells them one after one, implicitly responding to the sharp criticism of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. The reason why he (Jesus) receives sinners and eats with them is because they are lost, and he wants to recover them. This is why when Jesus told of His purpose (Luke 19:10), he said: “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” Note the choice of words: Save that which was lost. What is that? When, where and what was lost?

Lost?

When we read the parable of the prodigal son, we might distance ourselves from it, convinced we are not as reckless, extravagant, or audacious as the young son in the story. Our intellect persuades us to believe that because we identify as Christians, it is true that we were once lost, but not anymore. Is that reasoning right, though?

John Newton 

The soul-stirring song Amazing Grace was written by a former slave trader, John Newton. Though the words and tune of this famous song are recognizable to many millions, not many are aware of the song’s history.  The song was borne from the personal experiences of a man named John Newton. Going through a very unfortunate and troubled childhood Newton spent his early years fighting authority. After being, abandoned by his ship crew in Africa, he became a servant to a slave trader but was eventually rescued. On the return voyage home, a violent storm almost sank the ship (the Greyhound) that he was on. It was at this desperate moment that Newton cried out to God to be saved from the storm. He was indeed saved.  In his own words, he described how the cargo in the hold shifted during the storm and plugged a hole in the side of the ship. After this miraculous incident, Newton vowed then that he would lead a decent life, be kinder to people, whatever their skin colour, whoever they were and wherever they came from. At this point in life Newton believed he was lost indeed but now found by Christ. Despite this life changing experience, he continued his association with the slave trade, treating slaves in his care abhorrently. Even after his encounter with God on the Greyhound, Newton continued to live a life unpleasing to God. He even went on to become a slave shipmaster, a profession in which he served for several years. Newton lived many years of his life convinced he was saved after his experience on the Greyhound.  Yet, he was far from God, still lost.

Several more years later after becoming violently ill and nearly losing his life yet again, he eventually abandoned his life as a slave trader, this time wholeheartedly devoting his life to God’s service. It was at this pivotal moment that Newton wrote the famous words in the renowned hymn Amazing Grace: “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see”. These words carry a much deeper meaning. Newton’s eyes were blind to the sufferings of those around him and to the value that God places on every one of his children. His words “through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come. It is grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home” tell of a homecoming of a lost son.

What about you?

Some of us are perhaps still lost today, though like Newton, we are naively convinced we are not. You might protest asking: How am I lost? I am a Christian, I have a Christian name, I belong to a Christian congregation. Consider the following:

In John 14:15, Jesus said: “if you love me, keep my commandments. This simple exhortation speaks a million words. Many of Jesus’ commands have fallen by the wayside in the mundane hustle and bustle of our busy Christian lives. Is it fair to claim that we are no longer lost because we identify as Christians when we live our lives contrary to Jesus’s commandments? What commandments you might ask. Here are a few from Matthew 5.  Jesus said, “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Is your light shining the way Jesus wanted it to? If not, you are still lost. Jesus said, “first be reconciled to your brother” (Matthew 5:24). Are you holding a grudge against someone? If so, you are still lost. Jesus said: “but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery” (Matthew 5:28). Is your glance at the opposite sex, one of lust? If so, you are still lost. Jesus said: “Simply let your yes be yes and your no, no” (Matthew 5:37). Do you keep and honour your word? If not, you are still lost. Jesus said: “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). Are you able to do that? If not, you are still lost. Dear friend, like the prodigal son we perhaps are far away from home, lost. The irony is that we do not even realise that we are lost.

Come back home

The story of the prodigal son is rarely, if ever, associated with Christmas. However, this Christmas season, take a few moments to search your heart. You might find that you are lost indeed, far away from your father’s comforting embrace. The lesson that makes the story of the prodigal son so powerful is simple: a father waits and watches hopefully for his lost child to come home. Jesus used real-life situations, often trending off from the expected course of events in surprising ways. The three parables of the lost sheep, coin and son, are aimed straight into the depths of our hearts. Precious child of God, remember Jesus came to this world for you. He came to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). Despite you identifying as a Christian, the lost one could still be you. Come back home, Jesus is looking for you.