DECISIONS FOR IMPACT (3)

“I WILL ARISE and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you” – Luke 15:18

There is usually a critical threshold at which DECISIONS for IMPACT must be made: “I WILL ARISE and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son, Make me like one of your hired servants” (Luke 15:18-19).  It takes the Mercy of God to discern such a crucial threshold. This story is filled with decisions: first, the younger brother decided to demand and obtain his inheritance while the father was alive; then he came to himself and decided to return to his father; then, the older brother decided to not rejoice with the younger.

Today’s text is the story about three men, members of a family – a father and his two sons (an older and a younger brother). The story follows their action and reactions and the effects their choices and decisions have on their relationship with each other. Here, the father represents God, the older brother represents the Pharisees and teachers of the law, and the younger brother represents sinners. This parable is three-in-one. The first half focuses on the younger son and his relationship with his father – his rise, fall, and restoration. He was excessive or prodigal in his irresponsible use of liberty and loose lifestyle.

The parable’s second half focuses on the older son’s relationship to his father and his cold reaction to the compassion shown toward the younger brother upon his return. This parallels the excessively judgmental attitude of Pharisees toward sinners. Third, is the story of an excessively loving father. We peer into the heart of God, and see His Benevolence toward His people, while also understanding that He has granted us the amazing gift of making choices and taking decisions that come with great consequences. While we can always mend our relationship with God, our choices have real and impactful consequences!

Thinking only of himself and that the world was his oyster, the prodigal son began with a selfish, fleshly Desire that led to a Departure into a season of making pleasure his god (vv.12-13). As his money ran out and the party season ceased, he ended in Destitution (v.14). He learned that those who start out living to please themselves often find themselves alone and abandoned. Next was the pigpen of Degradation, the lowest possible humiliation for a Jew; yet the pigswill looked appetizing (vv.15-16). In Despair, “he came to himself” realizing he didn’t have it so horrible at home (v.17). Then, came the Decision: The prodigal son understood that he had sinned, and was willing to humble himself and repent (vv.18-19).

Ultimately, the repentant son entered into Delight – the loving embrace of his waiting and watching father and was restored to fellowship with great rejoicing (vv.20-24). Through decision, he moved from destitution, degradation, and despair into Delight.