Returning Prodigals

The parable of the prodigal son is probably the most familiar parable told by the Lord Jesus! As I studied this passage in Luke 15, I was starkly reminded of two powerful spiritual realities found within this story. The first one is found in verse 17, where the Lord Jesus says of this reckless rebel, “But when he came to himself”; and secondly, while under the convicting weight of this young man’s many sins against God and his own father, verse 20 declares, “And he arose and came to his father”. Tragically, this young man’s practice of reckless and wasteful living is the universal testimony of all humanity! For all of us were born into this world, with hearts that were prodigal by nature. The human heart is deceitful above all things and hopelessly wicked. The Word of God states in Colossians 1:16, “All things were made by Jesus and for Jesus”. We were created to experience and enjoy the Lord Jesus, as the supreme love and the sovereign Lord of our lives. God has brought us into existence so that we would live our lives in a manner that would glorify Him! We were created to live under the mastery of Jesus and for the magnification of Jesus. However, the Word of God clearly indicts us with the reality that “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. All have utterly failed to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. The prophet Isaiah said it this way, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way”. Just like this obstinate, prodigal son prior to his conversion, we have all walked the course of wicked sinfulness and willful selfishness. All of us have wasted our lives on prodigal living. Every one of us declared with our lives, whether consciously or unconsciously, “God, I want all of the blessings that You give; but I don’t want YOU as the central focus and supreme treasure of my life! I want to live my life by myself and for myself”. The folly of every unconverted heart is that he imagines that he can walk his own path without the guidance and government of the One who grants him every breath that he breathes! His perverted heart purposefully desires to be free from the Word of God; the will of God; and the ways of God. But the stark reality is that this imagined independence from God is not freedom at all; rather, it is a life of slavery to sin. Every person on earth is either a slave to the Lord Jesus or they are a slave to sin. Friends, those who have not been converted to Christ, whether they realize it or not, are living a life of moral madness, spiritual insanity and wicked wastefulness, just as this young man in this parable. It is merely a state of existence in the “far country” of spiritual separation from God. In a very real sense, it is a futile attempt to satisfy a profound spiritual hunger with the shallow and worthless husks of this world!

The fact that Jesus reveals this expression, “When he came to himself”, clearly depicts that this prodigal son was “beside himself” in a state of spiritual madness! This young rebel had engaged in a life that was alienated from his Father. Jesus does not neglect to inform us that there was great pleasure in sin for a season. Although ultimately it led him to the pig-pen of destitution, desperation and moral bankruptcy! But praise God, the pig pen was not the end of this story! The Lord Jesus declares these precious and penetrating words, “And he arose and came to his father”!

It obviously cost a great deal of misery and heartache, for this son to finally come to conviction, and contrition, resulting in a humble return to his father. Friends, what will it take for those whom you are interceding for to come to themselves and turn to the father? It may take a health crisis for them or one of their loved ones. That’s what It took for my precious wife, Dianne, and even my own dad. It may take a financial catastrophe or being “fired from the job”. That’s what it took for me. It may take the death of a loved one or that of a close friend. It might take a marriage crisis. It might be just the futility of attempting to satisfy one’s soul, by climbing the ladder of success, yet never being fulfilled. The amazing truth is that God loves sinners enough to do “whatever it takes” to bring them to themselves and point them to Him. Those of us who have come to know the Lord Jesus intimately, have come to realize that true conversion is a “coming to yourself” and a “coming to the Father”.

This is why I travel all over the world. This is why I spend half of my life away from home. This is why I preach the Gospel in churches, prisons, rescue missions, homes, in foreign countries, and anywhere else my King may open the doors. Because brothers and sisters, there is joy in the heart of my King and Savior, over one sinner who “comes to himself” and “comes to the Father”! There is a glorious celebration in Heaven, each time a prodigal repents of their selfish, sinful ways and turns to the Lord Jesus in saving faith. Friends, my greatest desire in life is to be a vessel that is used by God, to proclaim the only message that can rescue and redeem prodigals; and bring joy to the heart of my King. May each of us commit, with all of our being, to be faithful ambassadors for the Good Shepherd, who came to seek and to save prodigals and transform them into proclaimers!