“The Prodigal Son Is Me” Luke 15:11-24
Verses. 11-13 “The Inheritance”When first thinking about the idea of “asking for inheritance”, I thought maybe there were representations, maybe there was some sort of deep meaning. I think though that it is simpler then that. I think that the first part of the story is this desire to strike it on our own. It is easy growing up and accepting what we hear, but as we go through life, we begin to believe that there is more to this life then what our parents tell us. I think what the story may be telling us that we may come to a point where we say to God, look I’ve had it, there are too many questions unanswered, I have too many issues, I’m done, I’ll figure out this life by myself thank-you very much, I will run my own destiny. The story also tells us there are two sons. The older son, seems content with life, we don’t know it doesn’t say, we can only really infer this from later on in the story when the older one talks of staying and working and honouring his father. The younger one however, decides to barrel into life, tired of living under his fathers thumb, tired of living by his rules, he asks for everything that is coming to him and decides to leave. We invariably however step away from God’s protection and are unprepared for the “famine”. What happened to me?
How did I ask for my inheritance? I always thought that I needed to have my own testimony. I failed to see the incredible testimony that God had already played out in my life. I figured to play the worlds game for a while. I doubted that I would ever be in any sort of danger or “pigs pit” We never do. A compromise here, a change of heart there, till it comes to a point of “do or die”. Who will you chose? Will you choose God or will you choose yourself?
Though I never officially came to God and demanded my inheritance or what I thought that God “owed” me. I wanted to tackle this world and life on my own. I wanted to be free from the shackles of rules and things that seemed to ruin my drive for “fun” and “excitement”. I lived for self and pleasure of the moment. I gave zero regard for my family, friends, church family, future spouse and relationships. For nearly 5 years I walked in complete rebellion and opposition to everything that I had known growing up.Read vs. 14-16 “The Famine”The Continuing StoryBut then came the famine. Living loose and without care for consequences came to an abrupt reality check. Sin always exacts a price; loose living cannot survive without demanding a cost. Mine came with a possible STD. A rough break-up, a rebound, a drunken one-night stand later, and all of a sudden I was faced with the possibility of an STD. Welcome to the pig pit. I looked at those around me who lived as I did, satisfied with the pods they knew so well. I could not even eat on that anymore, it completely let me down. “…and no one was giving anything to him.” (vs. 16). It is just like the world, come live without regard for anyone else but yourself, live for pleasure, Christianity will just hold you back, besides you can probably just do that later, live for yourself today. Everyone enjoys a good party, but what happens if you end up going down a road that you can’t possibly turn from? I’ll be honest with you, the world says, better you then me. Read vs. 17-19 “Will Father take me back?”In my desperation and wallow of fear and deep, deep regret, God brought to mind childhood memories, lessons from Sunday School, lessons, my parents taught me, assertions that I had made even through high school. Is this how I was supposed to be? Worrying about an STD, holding my breath hoping that I wouldn’t become a father outside of marriage? Even if it was “responsible” hard lessons can still be had. I looked in the mirror and realized that I had become everything that I wasn’t supposed to be. I was supposed to be a dedicated Christian, deeply in love with a God who had never failed me. I thought would it be too late? Would people even accept me back? It was one thing for people who had never even believed before in their whole entire life, but for someone who strove hard after God to come back? My witness had been destroyed, God mocked in many ways because of my turning away. It was it however, even if I got some lowly place at church, I didn’t care, it seemed to be my only solution.Read vs. 20-24 “A Happy Homecoming”
My first Sunday back in church after 4-5 yrs of rebellion, and I saw the run towards me, the big embrace, and the kiss. Words were spoken that day through someone else saying, “Come back My child, I don’t care what you have done, where you have been, I love you the same, and you belong to me.” I felt the weight of my sin on me, I felt the words of the prodigal coming through me, “Father I have sinned against heaven and your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But there He was holding me, telling me that He had already forgiven me. I imagine the father holding his son closely holding his sons head saying, “Its ok, shhhh… whats done is done… your home now… your safe now… I am so glad to see you home my child.” That is exactly what God has done in my story. He held me embraced me and called me His own.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
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