I’ve received some good feedback on my recent devotional journey through the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Here is a list of all fifteen of my posts on the Prodigal Son, including the link to a sermon I preached on Luke 15 last September.

1. The Request
2. Two Types of Sin
3. Cheapening God’s Good Gifts
4. Spiritual Desperation
5. In the Pig-Pen
6. Coming to Himself
7. The Speech
8. The Waiting Father
9. The Running Father
10. True Repentance
11. New Clothes
12. The Older Brother
13. Anger
14. The Complaint
15. Finale

Trevin Wax Sermon on the Prodigal Son (YouTube)

“And he (the father) said to him (the older son), ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive. He was lost, and is found.’”
- Jesus, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:31-32)

Jesus ends His parable with the gracious father’s response to his older son’s complaint. Dad has the last word! Although the older son has lashed out, refusing even to address his dad respectfully, the father replies by calling him “Son,” reminding him of the relationship that the two share. He earnestly wants him to come inside so that the family will be whole.

The father then turns the focus away from possessions, works and obedience. The father desires the relationship: “You are always with me!” The issue is neither the faithfulness of the older son nor the reckless living of the younger. The spotlight shines on the older son’s younger brother, not because of anything he’s done, but because the father-son relationship has been restored.

The father’s treatment of the older brother models God’s graciousness. God has shared so much with humanity – His creation, His goodness, His common grace. He calls everyone to repentance – to let themselves to be found by Him and be called “children of God.” He looks at you and says “Son.” Will you accept Him as Father by confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Jesus ended the parable as a cliffhanger, leaving the audience waiting for the story’s resolution. The question must remain and haunt those listening: did the older brother go in and join the family celebration?

The answer is left to the listener. You’re invited to step up onto the stage and act out the parable’s final scene. Will you enter the house of God and become a part of God’s family? Or will you stay out in the field, appearing close to God while you are actually far from His heart? Will you remain out in the field, settled on working and “doing” without any thought as to having a true relationship with the Father? Won’t you come in? Won’t you become a part of the reason for celebration? The story’s grand finale lies in your hands.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2008 Kingdom People blog

“But he (the older son) answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’”
- Jesus, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:29-30)

Jesus’ parable describes two types of sin – the outward rebellion exposed in the younger son and the inward bitterness concealed in the older son. The gracious father has responded to both his children with honor and love. But unlike the younger son who fell with tears of repentance into his father’s arms, the older son simply voices a whiny complaint.

The older brother views his father from a commercial perspective. His boasting about his faithful service reveals more than what it seems on the surface: he is speaking about his father as if he were only a boss to be obeyed. Now, he is arguing with his dad in front of all the party guests because he is convinced he has been treated wrongly.

Some religious people don’t really want a relationship with God; they’d just be happy to receive a reward and a little recognition. For these, it’s not about the relationship that God seeks to have with them; it’s all about what they can obtain.

When they see God wanting to be their Father and not the provider of their every whim, bitterness takes root in their hearts. They see how God has brought celebration to others, but their envy and jealousy blinds them completely to the goodness of the God they are supposedly serving. They might be physically near to God, but spiritually they are far away.

The older son refuses to call the younger son his “brother.” He says, “But when this son of yours came . . .” If the younger son had to understand repentance as accepting that he was truly his father’s son, the older son must understand repentance as accepting his younger brother as a true brother!

Many church-goers see sinners finding acceptance in the family of God and despise them, refusing even to call them brothers or sisters because of the past they’ve lived. Examine your own life and relationships. Have you refused to accept your brother even after God has accepted you?

written by Trevin Wax  © 2008 Kingdom People blog 

“But he (the older son) was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him.”
- Jesus, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:28)

Jesus describes how the older son has just found out that people are celebrating because his reprobate brother has returned home. In Jesus’ culture, any older son would be expected to high-tail it into the house and join the feast as quickly as possible. Instead, the older son stays outside, choosing to murmur about the apparent unfairness of his father’s actions. He deems the party unworthy of his attendance.

We’ve seen the way the father ran to his ragged son at the edge of the community, but what will he do for his puffed up and arrogant older son? Jesus tells us the father goes out to convince his son to come in. By leaving behind his guests, the father is again placing himself in the center of a potentially embarrassing act. Once the father is absent, the party stops. Everyone stands watching him court his older son, who is now displaying their broken relationship for all to see. The boy knows he’s humiliating his dad, but he doesn’t care. He’s become just as rebellious as the prodigal had been at the beginning of the story.

The loving father has two sons who have blocked his love in different ways. The younger has walled himself off from the Father’s love by doing evil, while the older has walled himself off from that same love by doing good. The older brother goes through the motions so he can gain rights in the household, not true membership in the family. His attitude has strayed far from the heart of the father he claims to serve! His younger brother, the outward rebel is inside feasting while he, the diligent one, stays outside pouting!

Which way have you walled yourself off from your heavenly Father? Could it be that the good you do has actually become a hindrance in your walk with God? Do you see your Christian life as the drudgery of a slave or the feast for a son?

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’”
- Jesus, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:25-27)

Jesus’ story about the father and two sons has followed closely the younger son’s journey into the far country and his subsequent return home. Now, Jesus turns the focus back to the older son, who has not been mentioned since the beginning of the parable. The family fortune had been split between him and his younger brother. By taking what was his and staying quiet, the older son had shirked his responsibility to be a bridge between his father and brother.

Although the older brother may be busy in the field, it will soon be evident that he also has a problem with his father. Once he hears the music and dancing, he asks a servant what is going on. The servant explains that everyone is celebrating because the father has received his younger son back in peace. He’s forgiven him. The celebration is for the father’s incredible display of grace, not because the prodigal has done something worthy of celebration.

Many people involved in God’s Kingdom work have a broken relationship with the Father. They see no cause for celebration when someone is accepted into the family, because they believe themselves to be the only people who have truly earned God’s favor.

Many believe that salvation is theirs because it’s their “due.” They do good works here on earth because they expect God to slaughter the fattened calf one day for them. But when they see God doing more for the seemingly less-deserving, their enthusiasm turns to bitterness.

When our attitude turns from “I’m not worthy to be called a child of God” to “I deserve better!”, it is a sign we are entangled in haughty estimations of spiritual self-worth. When we view God as a banker, issuing notes based on merit, we start to think He owes us something. It’s then we must repent and remember that God is our Father.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate! For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
- Jesus, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:22-24)

The father, in Jesus’ story, does more than simply accept back his son. With probably the entire community watching the dramatic events, the father orders that a robe, shoes and a signet ring be brought out from the house.

The son has come from the pigs; thus he is smelly and gross. But, the father will not allow his son to walk down Main Street looking so horrid. He demands that robes be brought, as well as the ring that signifies sonship, so that the son will avoid any shame. The father bore the shame when he ran down the street. Now the son will go home, honored with the robe and shoes.

When God runs to us and we fall into His arms with open abandon and surrender, truly repentant, God does the same thing for each of us. He erases our past shame and guilt, putting aside our sinful actions. The past is past. The sins are buried. The shame has been borne by the One who suffered on the cross.

We are given new clothes – the ring of sonship, the robe of Christ’s righteousness! We can enter His house without shame because God is our Father. Jesus is our Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit is our Guide.

Ephesians 2:13 says: “But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” God has brought us home from the far country! He has taken off our ragged filthy rags of sin and has replaced them with a new robe. We are transformed inside and out. The Holy Spirit comes to live inside us and continue the work that God began on the day we were found. When God saves us, our rags are replaced by robes.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’”
- Jesus, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:21)

Jesus has brought His story about the father and two sons to its climax, by describing the father’s costly display of love and affection to his son. By running through town, the father has taken the shame that would have been reserved for his son. He now embraces him, kisses him, and welcomes him back as son, not a servant.

Now, the son speaks, and his planned speech takes on new meaning. Stunned by his father’s unconditional love, the son acknowledges, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you” and then rightly concedes, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son!” But he leaves out the rest of his speech.

The son understands his unworthiness to be a part of the family and receive such love. He recognizes the weight and depth of his sin and he remembers the shame and agony that he has put his father through. But he is now truly repentant! He no longer mentions his plan to become a hired servant.

He realizes that the problem was never just about money, the inheritance, and all the squandered belongings. The true issue had always been the broken relationship, which had now been restored due to the father’s outrageous display of love and acceptance. The father had accepted the boy back as a son, not a servant, not a scoundrel, and not as an infidel.

The son, undoubtedly moved by his father’s action of running to him, has broken down and repented, allowing himself to be found by his father there at the edge of the village. He can resist no longer. The father has won him over by his love and sacrifice. The son accepts his sonship.

Many believe they must work their way back to God to pay the price for their sin, when He has already paid the price through Jesus’ sacrifice. Will we fall into His arms of grace? Will we give up our futile attempts to earn our way to Him and instead, trust Him as Father?

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

“And (the father) ran and embraced (the younger son) and kissed him.”
- Jesus, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:20)

Jesus tells us that when the father saw the son at the edge of the village, he pulled up his robes and ran to him.

In Middle Eastern culture, running was considered shameful. For an honorable man to pull up his robes and run down the road would be similar in our day to a dad running down Main Street in his boxers one morning while the townspeople are out on their porches drinking coffee and watching the spectacle. A man of stature never pranced around in public!

But the father knew that if someone else were to meet the son first, they might beat him, send him away, or publicly humiliate him for shaming the family. The community had nothing but disgust for such a scoundrel.

But surely no one would have noticed the strange, ragged looking fellow at the edge of town if a man of stature in the community was publicly scurrying down Main Street!

See the heart of God – the father standing on his porch with the light on, waiting, watching, hoping for a glimpse of the person who has spurned the relationship that he so longs to have; the father running towards his son, taking the shame of the community upon himself.

Now look at Jesus – the King of the world, allowing himself to be thrown naked onto a splintery cross. As He hung there, shamed, bleeding to death, suffocating in sheer agony, He allowed His Messiahship to be put in question. He willfully took the shame of Israel and the evil of the entire world upon his shoulders. The hate of mankind and the wrath of God fell upon Jesus, as he took the shame and pain that we deserved. Salvation does not come without sacrifice!

Here is the picture of salvation: God – running towards mankind with arms outstretched, not only to embrace us but to take the nails reserved for our punishment.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

“And the younger son arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion.”
- Jesus, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:20)

The crucial moment in Jesus’ story occurs as the son approaches his hometown. Jesus tells us the father saw his son while he was still a long way off. This implies that the boy was probably at the edge of town, ready to head down the main street (which was usually the road that almost everyone in the village lived on). The father had been watching diligently, hoping to see some glimpse of his son.

Earlier, the younger son had wished his father were dead. He had publicly humiliated the family’s name and honor, sold off the precious inheritance and deserted the village. He had foolishly squandered all the money, and then wound up working for a pagan and craving even pigs’ food.

Through it all, the father has not stopped loving his child. He hopes to see their relationship restored. He dreams of them talking again, laughing, spending time together. His eagerness to see his younger son again impels him to the front of the yard where he stares into the distance to see if maybe his boy is on his way home.

Jesus has given us a breathtaking picture of the nature of God’s love for us. Despite all the pain we have inflicted upon God through our willful rebellion, our Father stands ready and willing to take us into His arms again and accept us as His children. He is calling us home again, to enjoy His fellowship, to be a part of His family, to worship Him as King and Lord. He proved His love through the sacrifice of His only Son. We prove our love by returning to His arms and obeying His commands.

Is the Father waiting for you?

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

“I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’”
- Jesus, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:18-19)

Jesus’ story about a father and two sons follows the younger son into the far country, where a famine plunges him into desperation. Faced with eating pigs’ food, the son comes to his senses and decides to go home, hoping at most to get a job as a hired hand.

When the prodigal son makes his decision to return, he knows he’d better have something good to say upon arrival. He expects his father to lash out at him for all the hurt he has caused. So, adopting the same words that Pharaoh used to appease Moses (so the plagues would stop coming onto Egypt), the prodigal plans to say, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.” He will then tell his dad not to consider taking him back as son, but only as a hired servant. The younger son hopes that his seeming humility will work to his favor, securing him a job in his father’s household.

Many of us view God just like the prodigal son viewed His father. Our motivation to pray and take part in religious activities is so God will take notice and bless us. Some attend church only for the social and family benefits. We keep God in a drawer, accessible only when there’s a need. Then, we use our service as a way to manipulate God, signing up to serve only if He’ll promise to come through for us in a pinch.

Fortunately, God is not primarily interested in acquiring people as servants. Above all, He wants us as sons and daughters. He doesn’t want to become simply your taskmaster, ready to take you on as a new employee. He hopes to call you His child! When we respond to God’s call to salvation, we must change our way of thinking and begin looking to Him, not as a banker or an employer, but as Savior and Father.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog