Two Lost Sons

Categories:

Do you remember the parable of the lost son? A man had two sons. One was a hard worker and one was ready to party and live his own life. He went so far as to ask his father for his part of the inheritance. From my studies, that was the equivalent of saying “Father, I wish you were dead.” He went off and did his own thing. He lost all of his money, had to suffer through famine and wound up desiring the food of pigs. How low can you get?

The lost son decided to go home with a plan to ask his father to hire him as a worker. But his father saw him coming. He saw his son while his son was still far away. He was waiting for his son!

So the son left and went to his father. “While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. He felt sorry for his son. So the father ran to him and hugged and kissed him.
Luke 15:20

The Other Son

The other son, who was a hard worker, was upset because the father made a big party for his wayward son. He refused to go to the party and was very upset about it because, as hard as he worked his father would not give him a nice cow for his friends. However, his father explained to him that all he had was his.

31 The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me. All that I have is yours.
Luke 15:31

In the parable of the lost son, we focus so much on the son that left that we forget about the son that stayed behind. He was a hard worker and through his hard work, he thought he should be honored. Don’t we do the same thing? We think that we will be accepted through our hard work. When we see someone else who is wayward come home and be honored we are upset. What about us? We were the ones who stayed and did all of the hard work!

What About Us?

A good example of this is Kanye West. The first song I heard from him talked about Jesus. Yet, Kanye subsequently lived a lifestyle that was far from honorable. However, his heart has been changed. While there are some who are genuinely happy for him, there are others that are quite negative. Instead of praying and rejoicing that Kanye was reborn, people are doubting him and insulting him. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should rejoice and be happy that he is using his large platform to talk about Jesus!

The angels and praise when someone comes home. When they are saved we should sing and praise. This is another soul that is now covered by the blood of Jesus. We should want what God wants and that’s that no one should perish.

10 In the same way, there is joy before the angels of God when 1 sinner changes his heart.”
Luke 15:10

9 The Lord is not slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost. He wants everyone to change his heart and life.
2 Peter 3:9

Works Can’t Save Us

The parable of the lost son also teaches about works. The older son was upset because he worked diligently. We are not saved by our works. We can never work enough to make up for the sin of man. It is because our hearts believe in the Son of God. We believe that He came down and died for our sins. He rose from the grave and now intercedes for us. God does not want us to work for salvation. He wants us to believe in the name of his son. Good works come from having faith in Jesus Christ and a repentant spirit. Praise Jesus that we do not have to work and sacrifice because it would never be enough.

Facebook X Reddit Pinterest