This article is a continuation of last week’s article: “Introducing God the Father.” If you have not read it, Click Here and read it first. In “Introducing God the Father,” we left the story of the prodigal son at the moment he returned home. Now, its time to continue the story. Remember, Jesus is saying, “This is a story about my daddy. You guys are going to love it.”
The Robe
After the son gives his Oscar deserving speech the father responds in a very unlikely way. The dad commands that the best robe be put on his son. Why? Because his son looked and smelled like crap. Well, bad food mixed with crap. The father put a robe on his son to cover the son’s shame. Who owned the best robe in the house? The father owned the best robe in the house. The son’s shame was covered by his father’s best.
The Ring
Next, the father commanded a ring be put on the son’s hand. In that period a ring was equal to our visa card. Each family had a signet ring that they used to buy merchandise under the authority of the father. The father gave his son the spending privileges of his entire household even though the son had just wished him dead and spent his entire inheritance. The Father loves to be extravagant in his giving. I would have at the least implemented an envelope system for the son and not have given him a credit card. Dave Ramsey has taught me well.
The Sandals
Finally, the sandals. Sandals were commanded to be put on his son’s feet. In that period, slaves did not wear sandals. When the father had sandals put on his son’s feet, he was showing that he is still his son. The son wanted to be a slave and the father said, “No, you are not to be my slave. You are my son, now and forever.”
You see, sonship was not based on his performance. He never earned the right to be a son. He was born a son. When a person is born again, they are a child of the Father. With his son home, the calf was killed and the father threw a huge party. Before Jesus even began this parable He said, “…I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 10) Look at the younger brother if you want to see how the religious act when a slave becomes a son.
The Older Son
You would think that the other son would be happy for his brother. Not quite so.
“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 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.’ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.
But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’” (Luke 15: 25-30)
The Oldest Son was Outraged
He couldn’t believe his father was doing all of this for his younger brother. His younger brother had wasted all of his inheritance on prostitutes and yet he was getting this “special privilege.” The older brother felt that he was due something because he had stayed with his father all of these years. He was always there and followed his father’s orders but never had a party with his friends. The father looked at his older son and spoke words that should resonate with every church goer in the world.
The father replied to his oldest,
“Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.” (Luke 15: 31-32)
Simply, the son had never asked to have the fattened calf killed for a party.
Simply Ask
All that the Father has is yours and mine. We just never ask. James makes it very clear when dealing with this subject. “You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2) Here’s a simple way to remember this idea. If you desire something, ask your Father for it. His response is usually yes, no, or wait. You might be surprised how often it is yes. Just ask.
The Three Sons
Each of the three sons in the prodigal son passage shows us a different aspect of the way we view God. The younger son acted out of folly. Folly confuses the grace that saves us with the grace that grows us. The oldest son acted out of religion or works. Religion confuses the foundation of love for the foundation of works. The middle son was the son telling the story.
Jesus always worked out of love and not for love. Jesus prayed, fasted, tithed, gave, and developed other spiritual disciplines; however, He did so out of the love He had for His Father and not to earn the love of His Father. If you’ve received Christ as your savior then you’re a son or daughter of God even though you might still act like an orphan.
Thoughts for Today
- First, the Father covers your shame with His best and is extravagant with His giving.
- Next, He identifies you to both Himself and others as His son or daughter.
- Finally, are you lacking anything? Is it because you have traveled to a distant country and need to return to your Father? If so, He is waiting and watching for you. OR is it because you simply never asked? If so, ask. All that is your Father’s is yours. Simply ask; simply believe.
Free Quiet Time Guide
Do you struggle having a consistent and life-giving quiet time? If so, click below to get my free guide on how to have a quiet time. In the guide I explain the five things I do in every quiet time.
Yes, I want the FREE Guide
