Luke 15:11-24

Preachers have said much about the Prodigal Son, but little about his father. However, I believe the focal point of this parable to be the father. This son went from the father’s house and came back full circle to the father.

This younger son had a desire and passion to see the “world” and have a good time. The thing that made the far country such an attraction was the fact he had never been there. Isn’t that the way it always is? The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence.

In the far country the son wasted all his money in riotous living. When he had money, he had lots of friends. When the money ran out so did the friends leaving him all alone, out in the field tending swine. Hungry and alone he began dreaming of home and his father.

I believe the thing that made the “far country” so awful for this son was the lingering thought of his father. That father he had taken for granted so often. That father he had not appreciated for what he was and whose heart he had broken. Oh, how those wonderful thoughts of home plagued his mind as he sat all alone by the pig sty, wallowing in his own grief and misfortune.

What was it this young son remembered of his father while in this far country? Let’s use our imagination just a little this morning and may God honor us with thoughtful imaginations.

THE PRODIGAL SON REMEMBERED HIS FATHER’S GENEROUS HEART

When he came to himself, the scriptures tell us, he thought, “How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger.” He realized how generous his father had been all his life. When he was home, this son did not realize that all he had came from his father. He sort of took for granted that what he had was his. It was always there and he never questioned where it came from. Until now.

As he remembered this generous father, he began to realize that back home he was amply provided for. They looked after all of his personal needs. He never wanted for anything in his life. When it was dinner time, he just sat and ate until he was full. He never entertained a thought as to the provision. He just took for granted it would be there when he needed it. Then, his future was assured for him by this father. He did not have much to worry about. The father had carefully planned and provided for the future of both his sons.

All of the resources of the father were at the disposal of the sons. Little did he realize what that meant until he was in the far country.

THE PRODIGAL SON REMEMBERED HIS FATHER’S

UNDERSTANDING HEART

While at home the son thought his father to be foolish, old fashion and generally not with it. The younger generation often looks at the older generation this way. It is part of growing up, I suppose.

The humorist, Mark Twain, once wrote of his relationship with his father. “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”

The prodigal son thought he knew more about life than the “OLD MAN.” He just knew he could handle his affairs better than his father. And so, he wanted to get out of the house and go on his own. Onto the good life, so he thought.

The father understood his son’s need to experience life for himself. And so he let him go. He also understood his son’s attitude at the time. He was in no condition for a lecture. Advice is best given when asked for.

Perhaps what made the father so understanding of his son was recalling his own youth. Somehow, many fathers seem to forget what it was like for them. They forget how rebellious they were at that age, and seem only to remember how good they were and how well they obeyed their parents. Human nature is human nature no matter which century they live.

All of this began to make sense to this young son out there in the “far country” while feeding swine. He remembered his father’s understanding heart.

THE PRODIGAL SON ALSO REMEMBERED HIS FATHER’S PATIENT HEART

As the clouds began to lift for this young son, he began to see his situation more clearly. His mind brought to his attention more thoughts of his father. His father really did have a patient heart. He could see that now.

We see the patience of the father in his allowing the son to do what he thought was right for him at the time, although the father knew it would not be good. Though it was against the father’s better judgement, he still allowed the son to make his own choice on this matter.

This does not mean we do not give our children advise. However, if you have a teenager in your home it is too late to start giving instruction. You have missed the boat. We give instruction to our children from the time they are born. It must start with the cradle. We cannot put it off until some more convenient season for there is no other more convenient season. After 15 years of instruction your children should be at the place where they are making their own decisions in life. Everyone has the right to make their own mistakes. Again, let me say that we best give ADVICE when asked for.

The son began to remember his father’s patient heart.

THE PRODIGAL SON REMEMBERED HIS FATHER’S FORGIVING HEART

Perhaps this is what brought him finally back to his senses and ultimately to his father’s house.

Forgiveness must be a life pattern, not just an occasional thing. It was a pattern of life at the father’s house. This son believed his father would forgive him as he had done other times. It was not something new for the father and son. This is perhaps the most important element in all relationships: Forgiveness. We all make mistakes, and sometime or other we will fail. It is then we need that forgiving spirit. Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

In this story we see the father’s willingness to receive the son back without a lot of explanations. He did not wait for the son to explain what he did, nor did he ask for it.

The father did not meet the son with: “Have you learned your lesson, yet?” Or, “Didn’t I tell you this would happen?”

The fact that the son returned was good enough for the father. He didn’t need a lot of explanation or reasons. He was just glad to have him back.

As I think of this parable, it is not just a delightful moral story but a picture of our Heavenly father. Much the same goes on with each of us. We have caused our Heavenly Father much grief and heartache. But through it all we discovered some wonderful things about our Heavenly Father. No other verse in the Bible sums it up quite like John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish. but have everlasting life.”

Perhaps you have wandered far from the Lord and you just happen to hear this broadcast. My friend this is not by chance. It is the Father’s way of jarring your memory of the Father’s heart. Will you, today, come back to him? He is more willing to forgive than we are to repent.

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

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