A dear friend of mine just published his first book entitled Start Being, Stop Doing. I rarely turn the pages of an extrabibilcal, nonfiction book, but in support, I made an exception. I’m glad I did, as it prompted me to consider a few things.
First, about the book itself, its format is what grabbed my attention. Most of the chapter lessons are followed by personal journal entries which correlate with each message in a manner that allows the reader to relate. The theme of the book addresses the fact that our walk isn’t a list of dos and don’ts (doing), but is a walk that lives by something that’s already done. This is a life that simply *is* in Christ and understands the love of the Father despite one’s view of oneself and his or her actions (being). The author uses the foundation of “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” to emphasize the theme. This was the main prompt for my study.
“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” has become so well-known—popularized—through children’s Bible school, videos, books, etc., it’s sort of become cliché. At least, that’s how it was in my walk. So I was encouraged to revisit and really pay attention to the significance of Luke 15 without commentary/study notes/any other resource than Scripture alone.
I’ve mentioned more times that I can count that Jesus’ love, the love we are commanded to have for one another, truly cares for others. When I say “truly,” it is a love that desires the absolute best for everyone’s spiritual well-being—salvation. This is demonstrated beautifully in Luke 15.
In this passage of Scripture, we see Jesus rebuked for associating with sinners. What needs to be made clear is that Jesus associated with sinners to bring them—whom He calls the sick—to repentance. Words dealing with death, sickness, and lost are prevalent in His terminology in reference to sinners. Today, we often hear “Jesus, friend of sinners” and “Come as you are” to appeal to the unsaved. But these mottos walk a fine line when the lost do not fully grasp Jesus’ character, love, and proper context of His relationship with sinners.
Jesus uses three parables to parallel His relationship with sinners: “The Parable of the Lost Sheep,” “The Parable of the Lost Coin,” and “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” Like any good shepherd who loses one precious sheep, He—God in the flesh—rejoices when He knows the lost sheep (sinner) is found (saved). Like a woman (I like that He chooses to use a woman as an example here) who loses a most valuable coin (something necessary to maintain provision in life) and delights in its recovery, He rejoices when sinners repent. And, like the father in “The Prodigal Son,” like our Heavenly Father, there is rejoice when the lost (sinners) come home (found-salvation).
When looking at that last parable specifically, the Father loves and enjoys those who have submitted to Him and remain with Him faithfully (the older son), but is even more joyful knowing the one who was headed for death (eternal separation) has come back to life (turned around—alive with eternal life).
It’s like this:
If one of my children was sick, dying, I would not cease to love my other children who are alive and well, but I would be overly joyful if the dying child is fully restored. That child was facing death, but is now alive! How much more blessed is it to know a child will have everlasting life?!
Or, if one of my children went missing—a runaway, I wouldn’t cease to love the ones who stayed because they were obedient children, but I will be even more joyful when the runaway child comes home and submits in obedience with a changed heart. How blessed it is to know the one you love is no longer lost, but is found!
By associating with sinners, Jesus is searching for the lost child. By associating with sinners, Jesus is medicating the sick child. How joyful it is when they respond in spiritual reconciliation and healing!
After grasping this lesson, I dug just a little deeper.
Prodigal means reckless and wasteful. Merriam Webster defines it as “given to spending money freely or foolishly.” It’s interesting how prodigal refers to money, and the previous (second) parable refers to a lost coin. The son was wasteful and reckless in how he spent his inheritance. The woman knew the value of the lost coin. The correlation between the two piqued my interest. His life and its value.
The lost live in a manner that is reckless, sinful, and wasteful. A waste of a soul. A waste of a relationship reconciled with the Father when one continues in rebellion. But, oh, what joy! when that rebel changes course. Like that rebellious child I just discussed coming home—one the Parent missed greatly. Maybe one who was dead, and the Parent mourned over, but is now resurrected to life! What joy, indeed.
So, as I’ve also said before, it’s not about dos and don’ts, because we are condemned already without Jesus. And it is come as you are, BUT GOD in the name of Jesus Christ, y’all! Jesus doesn’t leave us as we are. Jesus doesn’t require us to meet criteria before we come to Him. We simply have to be, allowing Him to change our direction, yet, not to neglect, there is change. Rebellion to reconciliation. Death to life. Lost to found. Slaves of sin to freedom in Christ and slaves to righteousness, living in holiness/sanctification.
Although we are created as His image-bearers, we are not all His children, but must be adopted into His sonship (Ephesians 1:5/ John 1:12/ Galatians 4:5-6) . Only by Jesus—who I chose to surrender to as Lord—was I transformed into a completely new creation and adopted as His child—lost sinner to saved and growing in holiness! How did I come to make Him my Lord? I just had to hear and believe Jesus’ Gospel—that He died for our sins (atonement) according to Scripture, was buried, fully resurrected on the third day, ascended to the Father’s side, and will return (1 Corinthians 15). Confess that belief. I had to repent—realizing my sinful state, turning from living in sin, and turning to Him in full submission. I had to be baptized—receiving His Holy Spirit and forgiveness of sin that separated me from a holy God by clothing myself with Jesus Christ, dying to self in His death, being buried (fully immersed) into His burial, and then raise to a new life in His resurrection — justified, sanctified, being transformed more and more into His likeness. And, walking by His Spirit, I continue living faithfully—growing, continuing to mature, and sharing His Gospel to make disciples.
Prodigal, come home. He is waiting.
If you’d like to check out my friend’s book, you can find that by clicking on the book icon below:
References
“Prodigal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prodigal. Accessed 18 Dec. 2021.
All Scripture (unless otherwise noted): English Standard Version Bible. 2021. BibleHub.com and English Standard Version Bible. 2016. Crossway