The Parable of the Lost Son - The 3 people represented

 

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SUNDAY 1 JUNE 2025 – PHILIP ROBINSON

LUKE 15 VERSES 11 TO 32

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON – THE 3 PEOPLE REPRESENTED

 

We tend to focus on the one son squandering his father’s inheritance, on things that didn’t matter but forget about the other 2 characters in the story, the father and the older son. There are many different parables in the bible that we can read. Some of the most famous are the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Each parable shows the love of God which is important in the gospel. We want to look at the lost son tonight. This is a well known one in the Christian faith. It is one that is taught in Sunday School and given many thought on. Something we can relate to as Christians. Learn so much from it. There is one thing we notice in this parable - the son had gone astray. He took his father’s inheritance and had gone to the far land. He squandered all his living yet comes back to his father who gave him his inheritance. The other son remained behind, worked with his father shows us great encouragement. No matter what happened he loved his son and embraced him when he returned. He still loves the son.

 

First the younger son. Think of the first son who strayed from God and returned to his father and asked for forgiveness. There are many sons in the bible. The older son would have got the higher inheritance, it was twofold inheritance and the other son would get less. 2 sons of this father. One wants his inheritance now. He went out of the home into the far land. He moved out of the family home and away from the father, away from doing the work at home. Thought he would be able to spend time with friends not having to work. Imagine the father watching him leaving. He felt sad to see him go away. In the far land the son spent all on riotous living or as the ESV says “reckless living”. Imagine the things he was getting up to. He was not spending it wisely. Little did he know his father was waiting for him at home. One thing we notice - this living only lasted for a short period of time. Money eventually runs out, ultimately there was nothing left except the clothes on his back. In today’s world he would have been partying and having fun. People today are enjoying the world. They are trying to fill their lives with the things of the world but it only lasts for a short period of time. The devil will only give us a short period of time. He spent all on the things of this world. Looking for the next thing. How this world can lead us to think that. Many people are trying to find this true happiness and joy, to fill that gap in their hearts with something true and pure. The world does not give true joy like Jesus gives. After a time it passes. This man went from having everything – job, security, a home to live in. Now he had nothing. He spent it all verse 15 and 16. This young man was desperate to try and find some food. Probably joined a pig farmer who sent him out into the pig pen. It was not the cleanest of places to go to. He was willing to go and feed the swine because he had nothing. He wanted to eat the food the pigs were eating. No-one would give him food. From having everything to living in amongst the pigs. Maybe life would have been better at home. When he came to his senses he realised that life was better at home. Plenty of food, home, job, money. What was going through his mind as he sat among the pigs? He remembers the situation back home and decided to return to his father and ask for forgiveness. As unbelievers outside of Christ we need to get back to the father who represents God. He knew he was not worthy to be called a son. When he returned to his father notice how when he approached his home his father had been out looking and waiting for his son to return. What happens when he comes over the hill? He ran out to the son and greeted him. Verse 21 - this son realised he had sinned against his father and heaven. His father does not chastise him. Doesn’t tell him to get lost. The true love of his father is demonstrated. A son had returned home. Spent time in a far away country. How many times as Christians we will let God down in same way. When we come to God and ask for forgiveness he does forgive. Keep short accounts with God. Asking God to forgive us for our sins of the day is important. A powerful picture of a father who could so easily have turned the son away. God is a loving God. He loves each and everyone of us. If you have not trusted Christ as your Saviour, God loves you today. John 3 verse 16. This first son spent all he had. He returned humbled by his experience in the far country. The first son.

 

Secondly the second son represents Pharisees and religious people. They miss the grace of God. He was not chuffed at the younger brother’s return and the party his father laid on for him. He was angry towards his father. When Jesus told these parables the Pharisees and scribes were listening (verse 2).  They murmured at his saying. A lot would say the second son is more important figure in this story. Older son represents those who are outwardly obedient. He stayed with the father. He was loyal. He wasn’t like the first son. When Christ was addressing the crowd we knew the Pharisees felt more holy than anyone else. Kept all the commandments supposedly. So often we see many like this second son in the Christian church. There are a lot like him. When Christians fall into sin greatly others will say “look at what they have done, I would not do what they have done.” An attitude of comparison and judging can creep slowly into the church. I seen an illustration of this recently - 3 people walked into a church one Sunday morning. A woman came in sat on the left hand side. She had on a lovely dress and hat. Another came in and sat beside her. This person was covered in tattoos and had on a short sleeved top with ripped jeans. The assumption is that this person is not saved. Another fellow comes in with a shirt and tie and looking well. He sits beside the 2 people. The speech bubble from each one – the first woman is thinking “I don’t dress like that, she cannot be saved.” Fellow on the other side thought the same. The person with the tattoos said “Lord I am here, take me and use me as you wish.” It is often how people think of others. How often we can become like that second son. The attitude, having the Pharisees attitude. Don’t like people who don’t look like them, don’t follow in their ways. In verse 28 we read he was angry and would not go in to the party. He was bitter towards the younger son. He thought he would be wise and know better. Bitterness towards younger brother. He was there the whole time with his father working. Didn’t spend the money. Bitter towards the brother. Nobody celebrated his obedience. You could maybe understand his view. Second son did not show grace to the younger brother and his father had made a big deal of his return. God gives grace to each of us. He sent his son to die on the cross to suffer for all the world. The difference between the person in the middle of our illustration realised the grace God gave him and he was completely sold out to God. Other 2 saw the outward appearance and judged accordingly. The challenge to us is clear - when we see someone fallen would we do the same? God speaks to all people and uses someone to speak to individuals. The challenge is  about how we think as Christians – do we accept people for who they are because Christ has accepted us as sinners?

 

Third character is the father. Prominent in all 3 aspects of the story. He welcomed the younger son home again with open arms. We see him in the opening scene when the youngest son asked for his inheritance. Then when he returned home again and lastly when the elder son was angry that he didn’t get the celebration he should have had for his loyalty and obedience. The father represented God himself in heaven. He had been hurt by the young son taking the money and leaving home, then squandered it all on reckless living yet he still welcomes him back again. Maybe you have grown up in the church but you have wandered from God. Here’s the answer in this story. God waits to welcome you back with open arms. He showed grace despite his hurt. God shows us grace. The times we have hurt God, turned our back on him yet he still reaches out with open arms and welcomes us back again. Being a Christian is not easy. We will fall a good many times, perhaps every single day yet he still welcomes us back with open arms. Maybe you are outside of Christ, you have never accepted Christ as Saviour. You have heard the gospel over the years but never trusted Christ for yourself. Maybe you think ‘how could God ever love me? In Luke 15 we see that we can come to Christ just as we are with no strings attached. We don’t have to be wealthy or from a good family background to come to Christ. Come just as you are. Because of the fall of man in Genesis 3 God sent Jesus to die on the cross. No man can save you only Christ. There is nothing on this earth that can save us. He can give us joy and eternal life. Will you trust him tonight? Put your trust in him. Have true joy. Christ died for the ungodly. You can trust him and have a new life experience. Not easy when you speak to people who don’t want anything to do with gospel, mock you, laugh at you but Christ will never leave you. Hebrews 13 verse 5. Come as you are with no strings attached. There is no fine print. Repent of your sin. Ask Christ to come into your life. Trust him as your personal Saviour. Many people are ushered out into eternity so quickly today. Many put it off, will not make time for Christ. They plan to wait for some time. I trust if you have not put your trust in Christ you will and experience joy tonight.