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THE PRODIGAL SON (3)

Luke 15:11-32

 

The Rejoicing and The Rejection

Luke 15:22-32

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In our last study of the Prodigal Son, we saw the young man “came to himself” while in the hog pit and returned home.

 

B.      His return home brought his father running to him.

1.      He fell on his son’s neck and kissed him.

2.      The son confessed his sins, but he never told his father to make him as one of the hired servants.

3.      The son did not have time to do this.  The father interrupted him. 

 

C.     The father wanted to celebrate.  His heart was full of joy.  We will study about “The Rejoicing” in this lesson.

 

D.    But, we will also see a very sad event.  The prodigal will not be accepted by all.  He will find one in the home who rejects him.

 

I.                   THE REJOICING (Luke 15:22-24)

 

A.    The Restoration (Luke 15:22)

 

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

 

1.      The robe

a.      The son probably returned to his father’s house in rags.

b.      The father, therefore, exhorts that a robe be brought and put on him.

c.       The robe was a long, flowing garment that went from the neck to the floor.

d.      It was not to be just any robe.  It was to be “the best” robe.

1)      Best means first in rank.

2)      Robes established positions in the home.  Those who saw this one would immediately know that this man had authority in the home.

2.      The ring

a.      Rings were symbols of both wealth (James 2:2) and authority (Gen. 41:42).

b.      The father did not make his son prove himself.  His humility in returning was enough for the father to restore him completely to a place of wealth and honor.

3.      The shoes

a.      The young man probably came home with no shoes, or, extremely worn sandals.

b.      Shoes were worn by members of the family, not servants.  The son was restored to his place of sonship in the home.

4.      LESSON:  When we return to God, we do not come back any less than we were when we left.  He restores us to the same position as we had before, a faithful child in His house.

 

 

 

B.      The Reception (Luke 15:23)

 

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and be merry.

 

1.      Nothing special had been planned for that day initially.  It was not a holiday or feast day.

2.      The son’s return, however, made it a special day. 

3.      It would be marked with celebration.

a.      All work would come to an end.

b.      The many daily chores would be set aside for a special event.

c.       There would be a great feast with joy and merriment.

d.      It is interesting that the thing the son could not have in the foreign country, good food, was found in the father’s house just as he remembered.

4.      LESSON:  God celebrates when his prodigal returns (See Luke 15:10).

 

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 

a.      This passage is often used to say that the angels rejoice when a sinner returns.

b.      The verse does not say that.  It says there is joy “in the presence of the angels of God.”  Someone in the presence of the angels is rejoicing.  I sincerely believe that it is the heaven Father who is rejoicing.

 

C.     The Reason (Luke 15:24)

 

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.  And they began to be merry.

 

1.      The son was dead, but is alive.

a.      Physically, he was alive in the far country.

b.      Spiritually, he was dead.  He was separated from his heavenly Father and earthly father.  That’s what death is, a separation (Isa. 59:1-2).

2.      The son was lost, but is now found.

a.      This, too, involves being lost spiritually.

b.      This involves condemnation and perdition.

3.      Lessons:

a.      We often forget that our spiritual man can suffer the same fate as our physical man.  While we live, the spiritual man can be lost in sin and dead spiritually.

b.      When the dead return, they come alive again.  When they do, it is time to rejoice and celebrate.  Question:  Do we celebrate as much as the heavenly Father does?  “And they began to be merry.”

 

II.                THE REJECTION (Luke 15:25-32)

 

A.    The Report (Luke 15:25-27)

1.      The rejoicing heard (Luke 15:25)

 

Now his elder son was in the field:  and As he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

 

a.      Again, this was just a typical day.  The elder brother had been diligently working in the field.

b.      To come home to music and dancing was unusual.  There had to be something special going on to create such a festive atmosphere.

2.      The request for information (Luke 15:26).

 

And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

 

a.      He may have seen a servant in the barn or shed upon his return.

b.      Again, he knew something was happening.

c.       A servant was asked about the noise in the house.

3.      The response of the servant (Luke 15:27).

 

And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

 

a.      “Thy brother is come…he hath received him safe and sound.”

1)      These words should have been “music” to the elder brother’s ears.

2)      His brother:  they were blood kin.

3)      Safe and sound:  he was okay even though he had been in the far country

b.      These words explained the father’s joy and the reason for killing the fatted calf.

c.       These same words, however, were about to cause a different reaction from the elder brother.

 

B.      The Resentment (Luke 15:28a)

1.      The reaction of anger

 

And he was angry…

 

a.      Angry

1)      Strong (3710):  provoked, enraged

2)      Thayer:  to provoke, arouse to anger, be wroth

b.      We are stunned by the brother’s reaction.

1)      Why the rage?

2)      Why wasn’t he happy that his brother was back?

c.       LESSON:  This verse is the point of the entire parable. 

1)      We focus on the prodigal son and the father most of the time.  They are really incidentals.

2)      The elder brother is the main focus.  His represents the Pharisees and sinners.

a)      They were upset Jesus had received publican and sinners and ate with them (Luke 15:1-2).

b)      They had the same attitude of the elder brother.  They did not rejoice at their salvation.  They were just angry with Jesus.

c)      It would be interesting to know how the Pharisees and scribes reacted to this part of the parable.  They sometimes picked up on Jesus words (See Matt. 21:45).

2.      The refusal to go in

 

…and would not go in…

 

a.      We can see this young man walking around in the barn mouthing and just as angry as can be.

b.      LESSONS:

1)      Anger keeps us from thinking clearly.

2)      Anger causes us to act in very foolish ways.

3)      Ephesians 4:26

 

Be ye angry, and sin not…

 

C.     The Rebuttal (Luke 15:28b-32)

1.      The response of the father (Luke 15:28b)

 

…therefore came his father out, and entreated him.

 

a.      Entreated

1)      Strong (3870):  to call near, to invite, to invoke,

2)      Thayer:  to call to one’s side, to beg, entreat, invite, to strive to appease by entreaty.

b.      The father understood his responsibility to the elder son.  This encounter would not be as easy as the one with his younger son, but he did not shun it.

c.       The father was just as gentle with this son as with the other.  He entreated him.  He tried to reason with him.

2.      The retort of the elder son (Luke 15:29-30)

a.      The charge of being defrauded (Luke 15:29)

 

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.

 

1)      The son notes his service to his father:  “many years do I serve thee”

2)      The son mentions his submission:  “neither transgressed thy commandment”

3)      The son feels he’s been swindled:  “thou never gavest me…”

b.      The complaint of favoritism (Luke 15:30)

 

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

 

1)      The speed of the father’s acceptance:  “But as soon as this thy son was come”

2)      The sin of the younger son:  “which hath devoured thy living with harlots”

3)      The slaying of the calf:  “thou hast killed for him the fatted calf”

c.       LESSON:  We see the evil of selfishness and self-pity.

1)      It elevates self.

2)      It notes where it has been shortchanged.

3)      It is jealous of others.

4)      It highlights the flaws of others.

5)      It makes false charges against others.

3.      The reply of the father (Luke 15:31-32)

a.      The correction of the charge (Luke 13:31)

 

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

 

1)      This son was always in his father’s house.

2)      All that was in the house was his.  (NOTE v. 12:  “And he divided unto THEM his living.”  Emp. mine, vme).  Both sons received their inheritance.

3)      At any time, the son could have killed a fatted calf and held a party with his friends.  He has chosen not to do this.

 

b.      The correct response to the young brother (Luke 15:32)

 

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad:  for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, but is found.

 

1)      The stressing of what was right:  “It as meet.”

2)      The sibling relationship noted:  “for this thy brother”

3)      The survival of the younger brother:  “was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found”

c.       LESSONS:

1)      Selfishness forgets what is right.

2)      Selfishness thinks of self and not about relationships.

3)      Selfishness does not care about the welfare of others.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    This parable involves two brothers.

 

B.      Only one was the real focus of Jesus, the elder brother.

 

C.     It was directed at the Pharisees and scribes who should have been rejoicing because sinners were being saved by Jesus.  These were their brothers and sisters.  Instead, they were critical of Jesus and were deeply concerned about their traditions of purification.

 

D.    May none of be like either one of these brothers:  a prodigal or the elder who was so jealous.

 

E.      Both needed to repent of their transgressions.

1.      The prodigal repented.

2.      Did the elder brother?  Did the Pharisees and scribes?