“….‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.”
Luke 15:12 (NIV)
This account sets an excellent example for all of us today. The younger son was brave to ask his father for his share of the estate since in ancient days a specific culture was present in every home and the community; one of waiting for your blessings/inheritance. However, this particular father bypassed that and he attended to the demand of his son’s desire.
His son subsequently left the home after being granted his demand and embarked on his journey, to have a good time in the world (Luke 15:13). His money was soon finished and his situation became dire. In order to survive, he received a job feeding pigs and longed to partake in the pigs’ food due to his hunger (Luke 15:14-16). (Touching pigs and eating pork are forbidden in the Jewish culture).
The young man, however, came to his ‘senses’ and remembered his father. He got up and went home. His father, filled with compassion, saw him and ran to meet him (Verses 17-20).
Note:
- His father was the first to notice him, implying he was looking out. His father knew the consequences his son would face in the community. The ‘Kezazah’ ceremony would be held where he would be “cut off from” his people and rejected.
- In that culture, a middle eastern man didn’t run. If he had to run, he would have to hold up his tunic so it would not trip him. This would have exposed his undergarment or legs to the public, thereby humiliating him. But his son had returned (and repented). So his father took the full shame and showed the community that his son was welcomed back home (Luke 15:22).
- He placed a ring on his finger, and gave him a new robe to wear and sandals for his feet; restoration had occurred. He called a celebration – a public honouring (his son had returned. Spiritually, a soul had been saved).
Friends, Jesus willingly endured the cross on our behalf, for all our sins and shame so we don’t have to. We are free! And we should learn to forgive, restore, and accept as this father in Luke 15:11-31. We should model a healthy, Godly lifestyle for our children, guide their choices and never give up on them, especially when they pay heavy consequences for their foolish behaviour. We must, however, ensure they do not fear returning home to their father, both earthly and heavenly. Thus, we are admonished to forgive seventy times seven (Matthew 18:21-22).
Read: Matthew 7:11; Colossians 1:14
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 89:46-52; Romans 14:19-23; Romans 15:1-13; I Chronicles 11; I Chronicles 12:1-22
