Getting to Know Jesus Even Better #10

Yesterday, we came to Luke 15, which begins with two parables on God seeking the Lost, and the great joy He has when they are found. Jesus now gives even a third, greater and more detailed picture in what we know as the parable of the prodigal son:

11And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father,and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate

Why is this parable among the most-loved and well-known? Because it hits home. We are the prodigals. In a very real sense we can say God has two sons: Jesus and Man. In Luke 3, when recording the genealogy of Jesus, Luke gets to the end and says "... and Adam, the son of God." Humanity is the prodigal son. Man wanted to be free from God and try things on his ow.  God had been waiting for him to come home.  He will celebrate when he does, when you do.