The Prodigal Son

March 5, 2023 Background Scripture: Luke 15:11 - 32 Lesson Passage: Luke 15:11 - 24 Luke 15 is always an interesting study for me. It details Jesus' masterful use of parables as a teaching tool. It is sometimes viewed as a short narrative followed by three parables. Chapter 15 is indeed a short narrative, but it is followed by one parable cleverly delivered as three. As tax collectors and sinners gathered around Jesus to hear Him speak, the Jewish religious leaders, Pharisees and scribes, complained about Jesus' fellowshipping with sinners. Jesus used the parable to teach and respond to their complaints. The lost sheep represents those who wander away rather than remain with their flock. This is descriptive of the tax collectors and sinners who strayed from Judaism but were being recovered by Jesus. The coin that was lost in the house represents those who remained in Judaism but were nevertheless lost because they were blind to the ways of God. The parable of the prodigal, or wasteful, son is a combination of the sheep and coin parables. After the father divided his livelihood between his two sons, the younger son strayed from the house and wasted his share. It was only when the younger son returned home that we could see the spiritual condition of the older son who remained at home. After the younger son wasted his inheritance, he could see the love and provisions of his father. He recognized that he was better being a servant of his father than trying to survive on his own. So, he returned home to apologize to his father and to ask to become his servant. The father graciously received the younger son and celebrated his return home. When the older son, who never left home, discovered what had happened, he became angry. He refused to join the celebration with the rest of the household. Therefore, his father went out and pleaded with him. He complained that his father was celebrating a backslider but had never celebrated with him. The father showed as much love to the older son as he had to the younger. He reminded the older son that everything there belonged to him. Before the younger son left home, the father divided everything between the two of them. Whatever the younger son did not carry away and squander, it belonged to the older son. The father was there as an example for the older son. The father had the fattened calf there for hosting a celebration. He was demonstrating for the older son when and what to celebrate. The older son never left home, but he was lost in the house—like the coin. The prodigal son learned the lesson of grace. Even when we make bad decisions and have hit rock bottom because of it, the grace of God is still available for the soul who repents and turns to Him. God graciously welcomes repentant souls back into fellowship with Him. Unfortunately, sometimes the ones who have never strayed are in worse spiritual condition than those who have fallen away and returned. Jesus cleverly dealt with two things in the parable. First, God's attitude towards sinners who repent and return to Him is that of acceptance and celebration. God also demonstrates love and patience towards the self-righteous who see themselves as judges of the sins of others. Whether one strayed from the faith into sin or remained religiously involved, there is a need for all to repent and turn to God in faith. Some have strayed and hit spiritual rock bottom and repented and turned to God. Some have not strayed but have failed to learn the lesson of love and compassion for repentant souls. Between tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees, and scribes, Jesus covered them all in the parable of the prodigal son. Robert C. Hudson February 16, 2023

Results of the Call

February 26, 2023 Background Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1 25 Lesson Passage: 1 Peter 2:1 -10 The ultimate call of Christians is the invitation extended by Jesus, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." There is nothing beyond this invitation that is better. No improvements can be made to it. Peter's letter helps us, as Christians, to understand the implications of accepting Jesus' invitation. What Jesus refers to as His yoke is central to the invitation. A physical yoke is a simple farm implement that allows two beasts of burden to share in pulling some type of load. The yoke can also be used to train an inexperienced animal by physically connecting it to an experienced animal. The experienced animal will respond to the farmer's directions and the inexperienced animal would be forced to follow because of the yoke. It is this latter use of the yoke that Jesus referenced. Christians are called into a life of holiness. God does not save us for us to continue to live as we did while unsaved. The Apostle Paul asked the question: "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" Clearly God expects holiness of all who are saved. We have been saved from the penalty of sin, and yet we still recognize sin's presence within our flesh. God's solution to our dilemma is twofold. First, we have the indwelling Spirit of Christ in us to guide us. Secondly, we have the example of the life of Christ as our pattern. We won't get to where we need to be spiritually with a made-up mind. We need a submissive spirit to the will of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. As we submit to the will of the Spirit, God's desire for us is always made clear. This is not enough to help us who are inexperienced at holy living. That's where the example of Jesus Christ comes in. As Peter wrote, Jesus left us the example of how to live holy. Taking Jesus' yoke upon us allows us to follow the lead of the One experienced in holy living. Jesus' invitation has some wonderful promises included. Jesus said His yoke is easy. It is easier to follow the example of Jesus than it is to try to figure it out on our own. Jesus also said that He is gentle and lowly in heart. This informs us as to the attitude we ought to have as we face trials in life. Jesus is that way because He put His soul in the Father's hands. Jesus accepted whatever outcome pleased God the Father. Jesus had an attitude of submission and it pleased God. Although yokes are designed to share burdens, Jesus said we would find rest for our souls when we are yoked with Him. That rest sounds like a peaceful night of sleep. That rest sounds like living a worry-free life. And it's not complicated because Jesus said His yoke is easy. We slip the yoke of Jesus on, let Him guide us, and He said it is easy. Jesus went on to say that His burden is light. Life can be hard, and problems can seem too much to bear. Trying to live holy makes life even harder and more burdensome. Peter wrote that God has called us into His holiness as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and His own special people. That's a tall order to fill, but Jesus is available to lighten our load. When we accept Jesus' invitation, which includes His yoke, we can be what God called us to be. The results of the call will be that our conduct will cause others to glorify God. Robert C. Hudson February 11, 2023