WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.480 We're going to read from Luke chapter 7, verses 36 to 50. 00:00:04.259 --> 00:00:09.160 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, asked Jesus to eat with him. 00:00:09.160 --> 00:00:13.120 And he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. 00:00:13.320 --> 00:00:16.140 And behold, a woman of the city who was a sinner, 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:20.120 when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:23.440 brought an alabaster flask of ointment. 00:00:23.660 --> 00:00:26.140 And standing behind him at his feet, weeping, 00:00:26.280 --> 00:00:28.080 she began to wet his feet with her tears 00:00:28.079 --> 00:00:31.439 and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet 00:00:31.439 --> 00:00:33.280 and anointed them with ointment. 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:36.259 Now when the Pharisees who had invited him, 00:00:36.259 --> 00:00:38.259 when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:41.500 he said to himself, if this man were a prophet, 00:00:41.700 --> 00:00:44.439 he would have known who and what sort of woman this is, 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:47.859 who is touching him, for she is a sinner. 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:54.739 And Jesus answering said to him, Simon, I have something to say to you. 00:00:55.219 --> 00:00:57.019 And he answered, say it teacher. 00:00:57.020 --> 00:00:59.520 A certain moneylender had two debtors. 00:01:00.200 --> 00:01:02.780 One owed 500 denarii and the other 50. 00:01:03.040 --> 00:01:05.520 And when they could not pay, he canceled the debt of both. 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:07.560 Now, which of them will love him more? 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:11.520 Simon answered, the one I suppose for whom he canceled the larger debt. 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:13.939 And he said to him, you have judged rightly. 00:01:14.340 --> 00:01:16.280 Then turning towards the woman, he said to Simon, 00:01:16.560 --> 00:01:18.579 do you see this woman I entered your house? 00:01:18.680 --> 00:01:20.140 You gave me no water for my feet, 00:01:20.740 --> 00:01:22.719 but she has wet my feet with her tears 00:01:22.719 --> 00:01:24.580 and wiped them with her hair. 00:01:24.579 --> 00:01:28.000 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in, 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:29.560 she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:31.759 You did not anoint my head with oil, 00:01:31.879 --> 00:01:33.799 but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:38.000 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, 00:01:38.579 --> 00:01:40.079 for she loved much. 00:01:41.079 --> 00:01:43.700 But he who is forgiven little loves little. 00:01:43.700 --> 00:01:46.280 And he said to her, your sins are forgiven. 00:01:46.740 --> 00:01:49.939 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, 00:01:50.159 --> 00:01:52.460 who is this who even forgives sins? 00:01:52.700 --> 00:01:55.620 And he said to the woman, your faith has saved you. 00:01:56.079 --> 00:01:56.939 Go in peace. 00:01:57.379 --> 00:01:58.780 This is God's holy word. 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:08.280 We're going to read the story of the prodigal son from Luke chapter 15, 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:11.920 starting in verse 11 of that chapter. 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:15.359 And Jesus said, 00:02:15.539 --> 00:02:17.000 there was a man who had two sons, 00:02:17.179 --> 00:02:19.339 and the younger of them said to his father, 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:23.699 father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. 00:02:24.079 --> 00:02:26.159 And he divided his property between them. 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:27.379 Not many days later, 00:02:27.459 --> 00:02:29.299 the younger son gathered all he had 00:02:29.299 --> 00:02:31.599 and took a journey into a far country. 00:02:31.839 --> 00:02:35.379 And there he squandered his property and reckless living. 00:02:35.839 --> 00:02:37.439 And when he had spent everything, 00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:39.719 a severe famine arose in that country, 00:02:39.899 --> 00:02:41.959 and he began to be in need. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:45.860 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, 00:02:45.860 --> 00:02:49.080 who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:52.600 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:54.400 and no one gave him anything. 00:02:55.319 --> 00:02:56.500 But when he came to himself, 00:02:56.920 --> 00:02:57.420 he said, 00:02:57.419 --> 00:03:01.379 how many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread? 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:03.739 But I perish here with hunger. 00:03:04.379 --> 00:03:06.199 I will arise and go to my father, 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:06.979 and I will say to him, 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:07.319 father, 00:03:08.119 --> 00:03:09.899 I have sinned against heaven and before you. 00:03:10.279 --> 00:03:12.519 I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. 00:03:12.679 --> 00:03:14.219 Treat me as one of your hired servants. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:16.699 And he arose and he came to his father. 00:03:16.859 --> 00:03:18.560 But while he was still a long way off, 00:03:18.599 --> 00:03:21.079 his father saw him and felt compassion 00:03:21.080 --> 00:03:24.420 and ran and embraced and kissed him. 00:03:25.540 --> 00:03:26.660 And the son said to him, 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:26.940 father, 00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:28.080 I've sinned against heaven. 00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:28.960 And before you, 00:03:29.040 --> 00:03:30.800 I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:32.260 But the father said to his servants, 00:03:32.820 --> 00:03:34.780 bring quickly the best robe and put it on him 00:03:34.780 --> 00:03:37.760 and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet 00:03:37.760 --> 00:03:39.939 and bring the fattened calf and kill it 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:41.300 and let us eat and celebrate. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:42.560 For this son, 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:47.400 for this my son was dead and is alive again. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:49.080 He was lost and is found. 00:03:49.340 --> 00:03:50.660 And they began to celebrate. 00:03:51.200 --> 00:03:52.860 Now his older son was in the field. 00:03:53.200 --> 00:03:55.200 And as he came and drew near to the house, 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:57.320 he heard music and dancing. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:03:59.160 And he called one of the servants 00:03:59.160 --> 00:04:01.240 and asked what these things meant. 00:04:01.900 --> 00:04:02.840 And he said to him, 00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:04.400 your brother has come 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:06.400 and your father has killed the fattened calf 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:09.280 because he has received him back safe and sound. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:11.879 But he was angry and refused to go in. 00:04:12.039 --> 00:04:14.360 His father came out and entreated him. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:15.379 But he answered his father, 00:04:15.580 --> 00:04:17.800 look, these many years I've served you 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:19.579 and I've never disobeyed your command. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:22.399 Yet you never gave me a young goat 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:23.839 that I might celebrate with my friends. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:26.019 But when the son of yours came, 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:28.980 who has devoured your property with prostitutes, 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:31.139 you killed the fattened calf for him. 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:32.699 And he said to him, 00:04:32.740 --> 00:04:34.980 son, you are always with me 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:36.279 and all that is mine is yours. 00:04:36.740 --> 00:04:38.180 It was fitting to celebrate. 00:04:38.180 --> 00:04:40.900 And be glad for this brother, 00:04:41.740 --> 00:04:43.959 your brother was dead and is alive. 00:04:44.100 --> 00:04:45.800 He was lost and is found. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:47.600 This is God's holy word. 00:04:48.819 --> 00:04:50.439 Now, this is a very famous story, 00:04:50.939 --> 00:04:51.780 the prodigal son story. 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:56.759 We today live in what the sociologists 00:04:56.759 --> 00:04:58.680 are calling a new cultural landscape. 00:04:58.860 --> 00:04:59.840 And that new cultural landscape 00:04:59.840 --> 00:05:03.480 is a movement from what was labeled post-modernism 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:05.019 into what lots of people today 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:06.639 called meta-modernism. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:10.899 Post-modernism was a movement 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:12.000 that we've all lived through 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:13.899 that was about doubting everything 00:05:13.899 --> 00:05:14.879 and questioning everything 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:16.180 and deconstructing everything. 00:05:16.699 --> 00:05:19.159 And the meta-modern is one, 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:20.579 so many things it is. 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:22.659 And we're trying to understand 00:05:22.659 --> 00:05:24.219 this cultural landscape we live in. 00:05:24.839 --> 00:05:27.779 But the meta-modern is a return 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:29.620 to some of the authorities 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:31.419 that the post-modern world pushed away. 00:05:31.420 --> 00:05:33.720 So that's why so many people 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:34.540 in our community, 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:35.500 our society today, 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.240 very different from a decade ago, 00:05:37.340 --> 00:05:38.680 are returning to religions. 00:05:39.620 --> 00:05:42.400 And it used to be even 10, 15, 20 years ago 00:05:42.400 --> 00:05:45.160 that religion was the bad guy in the culture. 00:05:45.259 --> 00:05:46.960 But today, religion is acceptable 00:05:46.960 --> 00:05:48.319 in the culture again. 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:51.660 And it's not that people are merely 00:05:51.660 --> 00:05:53.280 turning to ancient authorities 00:05:53.280 --> 00:05:54.740 because of the question of truth. 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:57.040 They're turning back to religions 00:05:57.040 --> 00:05:59.259 by way of aesthetic preference. 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:01.399 It's an expression of the inner self, 00:06:01.539 --> 00:06:02.699 of personal desire, 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:03.879 of just what you like. 00:06:03.980 --> 00:06:05.959 And so many of us will have heard 00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:07.420 of the quiet revival movement. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:09.879 The quiet revival has been 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:10.740 sort of misunderstood. 00:06:10.959 --> 00:06:12.599 There is something of a revival, 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:13.819 but it's not a Christian revival. 00:06:14.920 --> 00:06:17.860 Instead, it's a revival to transcendence. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:19.719 So it includes all the religions. 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:22.000 People are returning to historic religions 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:23.519 and so many new religions. 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:25.399 And this is what some people 00:06:25.399 --> 00:06:27.060 have called meta-modernism, 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:28.060 a little piece of it. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:29.540 Now that means today, 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:31.839 most people in our culture, 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:32.439 in our city, 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:36.040 will say religion is a good thing again. 00:06:36.180 --> 00:06:37.160 It's helpful for cultural. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:40.120 It's helpful for societal cohesiveness. 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:42.500 It's helpful for moral order and education. 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:45.399 And it also means that 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:46.779 because people are saying 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:48.620 religion is good for you, 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:51.100 the broad understanding of religion 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:52.540 and the contemporary culture 00:06:52.540 --> 00:06:54.680 is not only that religion is good for you, 00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:57.379 but that religion is for good people. 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:58.779 It's for making good people. 00:07:00.300 --> 00:07:02.379 Now, this is the most famous story 00:07:02.379 --> 00:07:03.339 Jesus ever told. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:06.879 And it is a surprise, 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:08.339 the surprise in some sense 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:09.500 of all of the gospels, 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:11.339 because it says that Jesus came 00:07:11.339 --> 00:07:13.879 not to seek the religious, 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:15.339 the good people, 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:16.459 but the irreligious. 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:18.159 That people, 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:19.920 that Jesus came to turn 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:22.079 what we think of as religion 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:22.959 on its head. 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:25.399 And the prodigal son story 00:07:25.399 --> 00:07:27.539 is a story that's probably 00:07:27.539 --> 00:07:28.560 well known to everybody in this room 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:29.060 to some degree. 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:29.439 It's a story, 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:29.879 of course, 00:07:29.919 --> 00:07:31.459 we've taught here at St. 00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:32.939 C's on many occasions. 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:34.359 The last time was, 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:34.859 I think, 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:35.740 a couple of years ago. 00:07:36.159 --> 00:07:37.560 But you can't really look 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:38.919 at the prodigal son story enough. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:40.000 You could probably come 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.099 and teach it every single week 00:07:41.099 --> 00:07:42.039 and it would still be fresh. 00:07:42.859 --> 00:07:44.099 And it says to us 00:07:44.099 --> 00:07:44.979 that the gospel 00:07:44.979 --> 00:07:46.240 entered the world 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:48.039 to counter mere religion, 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:50.079 that Jesus Christ came 00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:51.800 for those who know 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:52.479 they have a need, 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:53.120 for those that know 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:53.919 they need grace. 00:07:54.419 --> 00:07:56.479 And it leaves the religious person 00:07:56.479 --> 00:07:57.139 at the end of the story 00:07:57.139 --> 00:07:58.339 standing on the outside 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:00.300 being beckoned by Jesus. 00:08:00.919 --> 00:08:02.279 Will you come in 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:03.479 seeing that you too 00:08:03.479 --> 00:08:04.419 are in need of grace? 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:06.500 That despite your decency, 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:08.219 that you're also in need 00:08:08.219 --> 00:08:09.719 of salvation and redemption. 00:08:10.719 --> 00:08:10.819 All right. 00:08:10.839 --> 00:08:12.659 So this story is often called, 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:13.899 this parable is often called 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:15.240 the prodigal son story. 00:08:15.399 --> 00:08:16.479 It's been misnamed. 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:18.479 It should be the prodigal sons. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:20.800 It's about both sons. 00:08:20.840 --> 00:08:21.740 And to really understand it, 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:22.620 you've got to see it that way. 00:08:22.640 --> 00:08:23.160 So we're going to be 00:08:23.160 --> 00:08:24.340 very brief tonight. 00:08:25.200 --> 00:08:27.560 And let's see simply first, 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:28.740 who is this parable 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:29.980 being spoken to? 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:31.240 Then secondly, 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:32.600 have a brief look 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:33.680 at the younger son 00:08:33.680 --> 00:08:35.100 and then the elder brother. 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:36.200 All right. 00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:36.519 So first, 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:37.659 who is this parable 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:38.460 being spoken to? 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:39.100 Now to see that, 00:08:39.259 --> 00:08:40.360 you got to go to the beginning 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:41.460 of chapter 15, 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:42.860 verses one and two. 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:45.200 And we read that 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:46.080 the tax collectors 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:46.779 and the sinners 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:48.339 were all drawing near 00:08:48.339 --> 00:08:49.399 to hear Jesus. 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:52.120 So Jesus is being surrounded 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:53.919 by tax collectors 00:08:53.919 --> 00:08:54.759 and sinners 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:55.740 and tax collectors 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:56.279 and sinners 00:08:56.279 --> 00:08:57.579 are the two groups 00:08:57.579 --> 00:08:58.019 of people 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:58.939 in the first century 00:08:58.939 --> 00:09:00.360 that the religious, 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:01.179 the religious elite, 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:02.759 the Pharisees despise most. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:04.399 The word sinner here 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.899 is just another name 00:09:05.899 --> 00:09:06.740 for a person 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:07.480 who's committed 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:08.879 public sexual scandal. 00:09:09.059 --> 00:09:09.980 So probably a reference 00:09:09.980 --> 00:09:10.899 to prostitutes. 00:09:11.379 --> 00:09:12.579 And the tax collector, 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:12.959 of course, 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:14.259 Jewish men 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:16.080 who have gone in 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:16.960 with the Roman government 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:17.759 to collect taxes 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:18.939 from the Jews. 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:20.799 And so these tax collectors 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:21.240 and sinners, 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:22.319 people who are hated 00:09:22.319 --> 00:09:23.399 by the religious elite 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:24.620 are drawing near to Christ. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:25.600 And so in verse two, 00:09:26.319 --> 00:09:27.460 the Pharisees and scribes 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:29.600 grumble saying, 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:32.539 this man receives sinners 00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:33.759 and he eats with them. 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:35.379 And so there's the Pharisees, 00:09:35.460 --> 00:09:36.200 the religious elite, 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:37.500 the very decent people. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:38.360 They're so upset 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:39.740 that these sinners, 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:41.299 these public scandalous people 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:42.059 have drawn near 00:09:42.059 --> 00:09:43.839 and Jesus has broken bread 00:09:43.839 --> 00:09:44.179 with them. 00:09:44.239 --> 00:09:45.079 He has eaten with them 00:09:45.079 --> 00:09:46.019 around the table. 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:47.439 And then the next line is, 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:50.399 so Jesus told this parable. 00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:52.119 And so it's a section 00:09:52.119 --> 00:09:53.000 of three parables, 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:54.500 but all the parables 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.119 are effectively 00:09:55.119 --> 00:09:56.039 about the same thing. 00:09:56.119 --> 00:09:56.759 Now, who is he writing 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:57.299 the parable to? 00:09:57.379 --> 00:09:57.919 Who is he speaking 00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:58.500 the parable to? 00:09:59.399 --> 00:10:00.439 He tells the parable 00:10:00.439 --> 00:10:01.239 of the prodigal son, 00:10:01.319 --> 00:10:02.519 not to the prodigal sons 00:10:02.519 --> 00:10:03.000 and daughters, 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:04.199 not to the sinners, 00:10:04.339 --> 00:10:05.339 not to the tax collectors. 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:06.759 They are present 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:07.419 all around them. 00:10:07.479 --> 00:10:08.579 They're drawing near to him. 00:10:08.659 --> 00:10:09.319 They want to be 00:10:09.319 --> 00:10:09.879 in his presence. 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:11.259 He says this parable, 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:12.220 not for their benefit, 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.799 but for the religious elite, 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:15.240 for the people 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.319 who were there grumbling, 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:18.919 believing that I should be accepted 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:20.200 because I'm a decent person. 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:21.200 And so he told 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.039 the prodigal son story, 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:22.779 not for the prodigals, 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:24.639 but for the religious. 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:26.019 That's who it was 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:27.039 ultimately directed to. 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:27.779 Now, secondly, 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:29.379 that means that 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.120 the main point 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.379 is aimed 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:32.779 not at 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:35.019 not at prodigal sons 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:35.439 and daughters 00:10:35.439 --> 00:10:36.539 who have been reckless, 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:38.340 but at the respectable person. 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:40.480 And so secondly, 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:41.840 he's asking 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:42.860 the respectable person 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:43.800 to look first 00:10:43.800 --> 00:10:44.759 at the younger son. 00:10:45.680 --> 00:10:46.660 So the first half 00:10:46.660 --> 00:10:47.120 of the story 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:47.800 is all about 00:10:47.800 --> 00:10:48.500 the younger son. 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:49.000 You could think 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:49.800 of the parable 00:10:49.800 --> 00:10:51.580 in two acts. 00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:52.700 It's a stage play 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:53.180 effectively, 00:10:53.180 --> 00:10:55.100 and there are multiple scenes 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:56.040 throughout these two acts. 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:56.759 So act one, 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:58.100 the prodigal son, 00:10:58.160 --> 00:10:58.840 the younger son, 00:10:59.080 --> 00:10:59.899 and in act one, 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:01.000 scene one, 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:02.680 we've got verse 12. 00:11:02.780 --> 00:11:03.400 And in verse 12, 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:04.540 the younger son 00:11:04.540 --> 00:11:05.440 says to his father, 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:06.700 father, 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:07.060 father, 00:11:07.300 --> 00:11:08.380 give me the share 00:11:08.380 --> 00:11:08.940 of property 00:11:08.940 --> 00:11:10.040 that is coming to me. 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:11.620 Now, 00:11:11.660 --> 00:11:12.640 this is a scandal. 00:11:12.940 --> 00:11:13.800 Every one of the scenes 00:11:13.800 --> 00:11:14.500 in the first act 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:15.040 is a scandal. 00:11:15.660 --> 00:11:16.800 And the younger son 00:11:16.800 --> 00:11:17.660 comes to his father 00:11:17.660 --> 00:11:18.400 and he says, 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:20.240 I want my inheritance. 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:22.260 So if you're a younger son 00:11:22.260 --> 00:11:23.820 in the first century 00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:25.160 Greco-Roman Jewish context, 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:25.980 you are owed 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:26.700 one third 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:27.780 of the family wealth. 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:28.920 And so he's saying, 00:11:29.040 --> 00:11:30.000 I want my third. 00:11:30.780 --> 00:11:31.400 Now to say that 00:11:31.400 --> 00:11:32.020 to a father 00:11:32.020 --> 00:11:33.180 in an honor shame culture 00:11:33.180 --> 00:11:34.300 is to say to a father, 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:35.979 I want you to be dead. 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:37.639 I want you to die. 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:38.539 I want my stuff. 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.240 And the shock 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.159 of the passage is 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:43.179 the father does it. 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:43.979 The father actually 00:11:43.979 --> 00:11:44.699 gives it to him. 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:46.179 The father accepts this. 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:47.359 And this isn't 00:11:47.359 --> 00:11:48.319 contemporary 00:11:48.319 --> 00:11:49.579 21st century 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:50.240 Western culture. 00:11:50.339 --> 00:11:51.000 There's no banks. 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:53.139 The father would have 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:54.199 had to liquidate 00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:56.459 in order to get the cash 00:11:56.459 --> 00:11:58.259 to give one third 00:11:58.259 --> 00:11:58.779 of his wealth 00:11:58.779 --> 00:11:59.819 to his son 00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:00.859 and he does it. 00:12:01.839 --> 00:12:02.199 Now, 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.639 this is the shock 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.120 of the passage. 00:12:04.120 --> 00:12:04.480 This, 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:06.639 the shock of the passage 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:07.159 is that the father 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:08.700 would tear his life apart, 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:11.440 would deconstruct his life 00:12:11.440 --> 00:12:12.440 to accommodate 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:14.120 his son's rebellion. 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:15.840 And this is, 00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:18.320 this is a tale 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:18.919 as old as time. 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:19.460 This is where 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:20.200 true religion 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:22.240 starts to begin. 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:24.179 This is the oldest story 00:12:24.179 --> 00:12:25.279 in all of human history. 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.799 It's from the beginning. 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.100 From the beginning, 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:29.539 humanity 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:31.019 said to God, 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:31.580 the father, 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:31.620 father, 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.280 I don't want you. 00:12:33.420 --> 00:12:34.360 I want your stuff. 00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:36.580 God made us 00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:37.080 and he gave us 00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:37.860 all sorts of gifts 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:38.420 in this world 00:12:38.420 --> 00:12:39.639 and we turned around 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.240 and said to him, 00:12:40.400 --> 00:12:42.460 I'm not interested in you. 00:12:42.660 --> 00:12:43.759 I just want the stuff 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:44.480 you give to me. 00:12:44.560 --> 00:12:45.680 I just want my circumstances. 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:48.400 And the shock 00:12:48.400 --> 00:12:49.200 of world history 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:50.879 is that the father 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:52.100 continues to provide 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:52.720 for us. 00:12:53.280 --> 00:12:54.540 It's called common grace. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:55.539 He continues to give 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.039 his gifts 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:56.699 even though 00:12:56.699 --> 00:12:57.819 we take the gifts 00:12:57.819 --> 00:12:58.980 and shake our fist at him. 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:00.360 Now, 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:01.919 when you start to see 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:02.799 that about yourself, 00:13:02.959 --> 00:13:03.399 that's where 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:04.379 true religion 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.299 starts to begin. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.799 That you and I 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.419 are people 00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:09.639 who have taken 00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:10.599 the gifts of God 00:13:10.599 --> 00:13:11.259 and said to God, 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:12.019 but I don't want 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:12.679 the gift giver. 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:14.539 And when you see that, 00:13:14.579 --> 00:13:14.959 if you're willing 00:13:14.959 --> 00:13:15.679 to admit that, 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:16.839 you start to move 00:13:16.839 --> 00:13:17.379 on the path 00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.360 from mere religion, 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.299 just being respectable, 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.539 to true religion. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.159 You start to begin 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:22.740 to say, 00:13:23.100 --> 00:13:23.759 there is someone 00:13:23.759 --> 00:13:25.519 to whom I must be grateful. 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:27.539 There is a gift giver 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.819 that I must offer 00:13:28.819 --> 00:13:29.360 my gratitude. 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.199 That's the beginning 00:13:30.199 --> 00:13:31.759 of the pathway 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.459 of true religion. 00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:34.159 And we're being told 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:34.579 about it all 00:13:34.579 --> 00:13:34.959 in this story. 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:35.100 Now, 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:35.719 the second scene, 00:13:36.059 --> 00:13:36.919 verse 13 to 16, 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:38.299 is this young man. 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:38.919 He goes into 00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:40.159 the far country 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:41.100 and it says 00:13:41.100 --> 00:13:42.120 that he was reckless. 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:42.939 That's where we get 00:13:42.939 --> 00:13:43.839 the word prodigal 00:13:43.839 --> 00:13:46.139 in verses 13 and 14, 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:46.519 reckless. 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:47.539 He spends everything 00:13:47.539 --> 00:13:49.759 and he gets into 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:51.339 such a destitute situation 00:13:51.339 --> 00:13:52.019 in the midst of 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.779 famine that he starts 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:54.779 working for a farmer, 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:55.559 a pig farmer, 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:57.220 and he becomes so poor 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:57.980 that it says 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.399 he desires even 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:01.399 to eat the pods 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:02.039 that the pigs 00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:02.779 were being fed. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:03.319 Now, 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:03.759 remember, 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:05.079 who is this parable 00:14:05.079 --> 00:14:05.840 being told to? 00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:06.299 It's being told 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:07.079 to the Pharisees 00:14:07.079 --> 00:14:08.639 and the religious elite. 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:09.860 And if you're 00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:12.179 a Jewish Pharisee 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:12.919 in the first century, 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:14.039 there is nothing 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.179 that is more known 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:15.960 to you than the fact 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:16.879 that pigs are 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:18.220 desperately unclean 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.279 in the Levitical law. 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:19.819 And that means 00:14:19.819 --> 00:14:20.480 we're being told here 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.379 that this man 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:23.000 has gone so far 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:23.779 down into the pit 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:24.480 that he has become 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.659 less than the beasts 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:26.480 because it says 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.740 even he desires 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:28.779 to eat the pods 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:29.620 that the pigs were eating. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.340 He's not even 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:31.240 to their level. 00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.200 The Pharisees 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:33.299 are thinking 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:34.399 this young boy 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.559 has become beastly. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.419 There's no coming back 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:37.939 from this 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:39.539 in their culture. 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.460 And yet, 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:43.200 in verses 17 to 24, 00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:43.899 scene three, 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:44.580 it says that 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:45.139 the young man 00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:46.159 comes to himself 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:46.779 and he says, 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:48.939 I'm a sinner. 00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:49.559 I'll, 00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:51.059 he makes a plan. 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:51.339 He says, 00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.199 I'll work it off. 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:53.360 I'll come back 00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.339 to my father's household 00:14:54.339 --> 00:14:55.759 and I'll work for him 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.679 as a hired hand, 00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:57.279 as a servant. 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:59.100 And if I work long enough, 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:00.740 if I put enough time in, 00:15:01.059 --> 00:15:02.860 I know I won't be a son, 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.799 but maybe I could be 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:06.039 accepted as a servant. 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.919 And so that's his plan. 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:10.159 Now, 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.939 the religious crowd there 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:12.860 would have been nodding. 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:13.759 Absolutely. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:16.960 If anybody is to be reconciled, 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:18.259 the only way 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:19.039 that they could ever do it 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:20.179 is by earning it back 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.159 over years and years 00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:21.860 and years and years 00:15:21.860 --> 00:15:22.659 of repayment, 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:23.860 of paying off 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.980 every one of their sins, 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:26.080 of earning their favor 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.700 back in their father's house. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.580 And when this young man 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:31.080 comes back 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.960 to his father's house, 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.980 he's got his plan ready. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:33.720 He's going to say, 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:34.080 Father, 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.319 I'll work for this many years. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.879 I'll do this, 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.340 this many good works for you. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.480 And maybe then 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.779 you'll call me servant again. 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.700 And his father 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:43.120 sees him out on the horizon. 00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:46.220 And breaking every rule 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:47.159 of a patriarch 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:48.080 in the household 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.819 of the first century, 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:50.279 he rolls his robes up 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.759 and he runs out 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.519 to his son. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.939 And before his son 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:54.580 can say a word, 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.819 he wraps his arms around him 00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:56.879 and kisses him on the neck. 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.419 And he, 00:15:58.659 --> 00:15:58.799 you know, 00:15:58.819 --> 00:16:00.179 the son starts to give his plan. 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:00.639 He starts to say, 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:00.759 well, 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:01.379 here's my plan, 00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:01.600 dad. 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.960 I'm going to work for you 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.819 and I'm going to earn 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.720 your favor again. 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:07.019 And it's as if in the text, 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:08.460 the father just stops him 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.740 and says to the other servants, 00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:11.299 go and kill the fattened calf. 00:16:11.439 --> 00:16:12.620 Get my best robe, 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.379 my signet ring, 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:14.159 my sandals, 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.919 put them on his feet. 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.980 Whose robe is the best robe 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:19.539 in the house? 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:22.139 It's the father's robe. 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.960 Whose ring is the signet ring 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:25.560 of the family? 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:26.700 It's the father's ring. 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:26.899 He, 00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:27.659 he, 00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.899 he robes him 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.759 in his own clothing. 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:31.399 He puts his family seal 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.539 on his finger. 00:16:32.539 --> 00:16:34.039 And what we learn here 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:34.480 is that 00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:37.340 you cannot earn your status 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:39.320 as a son or daughter 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:39.860 of the father. 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:43.420 You cannot work your way 00:16:43.420 --> 00:16:44.900 into the father, 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.760 the heavenly father's 00:16:45.760 --> 00:16:46.480 good graces. 00:16:48.640 --> 00:16:49.600 Becoming a son or daughter 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:50.040 of the king, 00:16:50.140 --> 00:16:50.920 becoming a son or daughter 00:16:50.920 --> 00:16:51.840 of the father 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.780 is a status change. 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.500 It is acceptance. 00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.120 It is by, 00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:55.160 by grace alone. 00:16:55.260 --> 00:16:56.000 There's no other way. 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:58.120 You cannot work your way 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.740 into sonship. 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.960 And so that means tonight 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.320 that 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:04.640 if you come tonight, 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.440 some of you in this room 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.600 are the prodigal sons 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.000 and daughters, 00:17:07.199 --> 00:17:07.459 you are, 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:08.339 you are the reckless 00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:08.859 spendthrift. 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.240 You've, 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:09.980 you've looked back 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.179 at the past of your life 00:17:11.179 --> 00:17:11.579 and you say, 00:17:11.699 --> 00:17:13.159 I am the younger here. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:16.000 No matter what you've done, 00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:19.039 no matter what you're doing today, 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:21.619 no matter what secret sins 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.379 you may be hiding 00:17:22.379 --> 00:17:23.379 in your life right now, 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:25.459 there is a heavenly father 00:17:25.459 --> 00:17:27.240 who is looking for you 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:28.119 out on the horizon, 00:17:28.699 --> 00:17:29.759 longing to run to you 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.480 and wrap his arms 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.240 around you in mercy. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:34.039 And you can come to him 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:36.079 and you can receive forgiveness. 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:38.559 And you will be called son 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.539 and you will be called daughter 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.599 and you will be bathed 00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.139 in his robe 00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:41.819 and his signet ring 00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.439 and his sandals 00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:43.980 and he will throw a feast for you. 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.779 Some of us tonight 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.379 might be struggling 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:48.399 as prodigal sons 00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:49.519 and daughters from the past. 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:50.459 You might be wrestling 00:17:50.459 --> 00:17:51.000 and thinking, 00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:51.480 I don't, 00:17:51.639 --> 00:17:53.279 there's guilt in my life 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:53.919 that I don't know 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:55.159 that I'll ever get past. 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:56.659 I just want to ask you 00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.139 one question 00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:58.319 and I'll move to the final thing. 00:17:59.179 --> 00:18:00.159 Do you think 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:01.519 that Jesus Christ 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.859 died on the cross 00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:04.059 in the middle of history 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:05.659 for your heavenly father 00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:07.200 to look at you forever 00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:08.380 with a frown on his face? 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:11.160 Jesus Christ died 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.120 in the middle of history 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:13.740 so that for the rest of time, 00:18:13.860 --> 00:18:14.600 God the father 00:18:14.600 --> 00:18:15.560 could smile at you. 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:17.240 And so no matter 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:17.940 what you've done, 00:18:19.060 --> 00:18:20.440 you can come tonight 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:22.279 and you can receive his mercy. 00:18:23.560 --> 00:18:23.960 Now, 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.680 it would be great to end. 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:26.680 Let us pray. 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:28.640 But we can't 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.660 for just a few minutes 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.500 because that's not 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.320 where the parable ends. 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.840 The story is so happy 00:18:32.840 --> 00:18:33.340 in this moment, 00:18:33.339 --> 00:18:34.179 but yet there's 00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:34.779 an elder brother 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:36.319 and this is the main audience 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.419 are the elder brothers 00:18:37.419 --> 00:18:38.119 and sisters, 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:39.539 the religious elite, 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:40.399 the people who believe 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:41.240 they are respectable 00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.119 and they're decent 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:43.559 and they can earn their way 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.720 into God's favor. 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:46.599 And so here we have 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.559 an elder brother 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:49.019 who comes back 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.599 from the field 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:51.179 and he hears the party going 00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:51.720 and he says, 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:53.019 what's happening here 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:55.519 in verses 28 and 29? 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.359 And notice in verse 30 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.339 how he even speaks 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:58.919 to his father. 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.720 He refers to his younger brother 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:02.579 as this son of yours. 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.420 He's not my brother. 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.220 I don't know him. 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:06.559 He won't say brother anymore. 00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:08.039 And then he explains himself. 00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:08.319 He says, 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.299 all these years 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:11.019 I have slaved for you. 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.940 I've worked for you 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:13.039 and you have never 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.319 given me a party. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:15.019 You've never killed 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.140 the fattened calf for me. 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:16.660 Now, 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.460 it's very clear 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:19.539 how the elder brother, 00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:20.860 how the religious elite, 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.779 how the respectable 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:23.400 believes they earn God's favor. 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.000 And it's this. 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.559 He wanted the father's benefits. 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:29.740 He wanted the father's benefits, 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.559 his stuff. 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.659 He never wanted the father. 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.419 He said, 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.339 all these years 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:37.079 I've been good for you. 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.279 I've been good to you 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:39.419 and you've never 00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:40.319 thrown a party for me. 00:19:40.399 --> 00:19:42.099 He wanted everything 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:43.879 the father would give him in life, 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:44.759 all the inheritance. 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:47.019 He never wanted the father 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:48.359 and he wanted that inheritance 00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:49.940 by way of being good. 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.119 He wanted to draw near 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.539 to the father's stuff 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:54.379 by way of his decency. 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:56.920 And so the younger brother, 00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:57.860 the prodigal brother, 00:19:58.100 --> 00:19:59.760 he told the father outright. 00:19:59.860 --> 00:20:00.860 He was explicit about it. 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.140 He said, 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:01.860 I want you to die. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.360 I don't want you. 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.260 I just want your stuff. 00:20:05.060 --> 00:20:05.960 The elder brother 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.340 was implicit about it. 00:20:08.760 --> 00:20:09.280 He said, 00:20:09.320 --> 00:20:10.080 I don't want a relationship 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:10.440 with you. 00:20:10.560 --> 00:20:12.280 I just am here being decent 00:20:12.280 --> 00:20:13.540 so that I can get your stuff. 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.460 You see, 00:20:14.540 --> 00:20:15.800 you can be prodigal 00:20:15.800 --> 00:20:18.100 by way of spending your life 00:20:18.100 --> 00:20:19.300 in the most reckless living. 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:20.400 You can be prodigal 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:22.400 by being a very good person. 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:25.280 You can stay far away from God 00:20:25.280 --> 00:20:28.400 by simply being decent. 00:20:29.540 --> 00:20:31.060 As long as you stay respectable, 00:20:31.280 --> 00:20:31.800 you can say, 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:33.060 if you stay respectable, 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.620 you can say, 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.480 I never need to draw near 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:37.720 confessing my need for grace. 00:20:38.800 --> 00:20:39.280 And so you can be 00:20:39.280 --> 00:20:40.040 just as prodigal 00:20:40.040 --> 00:20:41.019 on the outside, 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.120 on the inside, 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:42.640 I should say, 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:44.360 as the younger brother 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.580 is on the outside. 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:47.560 You can be alienated 00:20:47.560 --> 00:20:48.700 from God by your sin 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.940 and you can be 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:51.340 just as alienated 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:51.819 from God 00:20:51.819 --> 00:20:52.579 by your goodness. 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:54.599 And so here, 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.759 what we've got 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.879 is salvation 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.959 by morality 00:20:57.959 --> 00:21:00.000 in the elder brother's life. 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.359 And if you, 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.059 you're a person 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:03.099 who approaches salvation 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:03.619 as salvation 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:04.539 by morality, 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:06.359 you might be treating 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:08.179 Jesus as a helper, 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.779 as an example 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.459 in your life, 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:11.279 as an inspiration 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:12.639 to be a good moral person, 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.959 but he is not yet 00:21:13.959 --> 00:21:14.480 your savior. 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.959 He's not yet 00:21:15.959 --> 00:21:16.439 your redeemer. 00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:18.679 And so at the very end 00:21:18.679 --> 00:21:19.639 of the story here, 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:21.120 all we get 00:21:21.120 --> 00:21:22.160 is a pronouncement. 00:21:22.300 --> 00:21:22.720 It was fitting 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.380 to celebrate 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.259 and be glad 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.700 for this, 00:21:24.780 --> 00:21:25.780 your brother was dead 00:21:25.780 --> 00:21:26.680 and is alive. 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.340 He was lost 00:21:27.340 --> 00:21:27.920 and is found. 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:29.280 The father says, 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:31.520 look at the movement, 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:32.580 the status change 00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:34.400 from death to life 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:35.320 and your younger brother. 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.080 And then the parable 00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:36.560 just stops. 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:36.860 Why? 00:21:38.540 --> 00:21:39.180 The ending 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:40.180 is left 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.160 for the scribes 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:41.980 and the Pharisees 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:44.360 to put themselves into. 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.680 There's the elder brother 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.320 standing outside 00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:47.340 the door, 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:47.800 the threshold 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.339 of the party 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:50.299 and Jesus turns 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.319 to the Pharisees 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:51.960 and the scribes 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.359 and says, 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:54.079 will you come in? 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.759 And so he's inviting 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.559 every one of us 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.359 who believes 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.119 in salvation 00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:59.079 by morality 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.339 that our respectability 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.079 and our decency 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:02.039 is what's going 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.500 to get us 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.799 into the heavenly throne room 00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:05.279 instead of our confession 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.200 of need, 00:22:06.399 --> 00:22:07.119 of grace. 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:07.980 And he's just 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:08.659 leaving it open 00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:09.059 and saying, 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:09.759 will you come? 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:10.359 Will you come 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:10.839 and receive 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:11.700 the open arms 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.419 of the father as well? 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.220 Will you confess your need? 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:13.460 Now, 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.779 let me finish with this. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:16.759 How do you come home 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.960 to God? 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.500 You come home to God 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.720 by saying, 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.139 therefore, 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.180 I'm unworthy. 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:24.000 I'm a sinner. 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:25.099 No matter how respectable 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:26.339 your life may have been, 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:28.700 I need to be rescued 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.440 just as much 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.180 as the prodigal sons 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:30.579 and daughters 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.180 down the road. 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:33.059 You come to the father 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:34.240 by confessing your need. 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.379 That's faith. 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.859 That's clear 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.539 in the passage. 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:38.960 But, 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:41.279 what's unclear 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.119 is what some 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:43.399 commentators 00:22:43.400 --> 00:22:44.240 talk about 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.920 and that's this. 00:22:45.540 --> 00:22:46.920 If God 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.660 is the heavenly father 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:50.300 who no matter 00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:51.700 what you have done, 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.759 whether that's salvation 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.580 by decency 00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:55.140 and morality 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:56.700 or that's running 00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.460 away from him 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.280 and spending your life 00:22:58.280 --> 00:22:59.060 in utter recklessness, 00:22:59.180 --> 00:23:00.019 no matter what you've done, 00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.420 all you need to do 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.840 is come back to him 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.560 and he will open 00:23:03.560 --> 00:23:04.240 his arms to you 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.040 and he will accept you. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.780 Is there any need 00:23:06.780 --> 00:23:08.120 for the cross 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:08.840 of Jesus Christ? 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:10.780 So, 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:12.220 if God just forgives you, 00:23:12.280 --> 00:23:13.340 if he just brings you in, 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.159 if he just accepts you 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:14.720 no matter what, 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.839 why in the world 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.859 is there a cross 00:23:16.859 --> 00:23:17.839 at the end of the gospel? 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:20.220 And here's what I think 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.899 commentators miss 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.939 when they suggest that, 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.959 when they ask that question 00:23:23.959 --> 00:23:24.539 and it's this. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.399 Remember, 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.179 he's talking to 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.139 the Pharisees, 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.919 the religious elite, 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.179 the scribes, 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:31.299 those who are grumbling 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.379 at the tax collector 00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:33.439 and the sinner 00:23:33.439 --> 00:23:35.500 and what does he tell them? 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:36.299 He doesn't tell them 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:37.500 one parable 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.559 but three parables. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:39.759 Don't worry, 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.379 I'm not going to teach 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:40.779 all three. 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:43.319 In the first parable, 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:45.059 there's a shepherd 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.420 and he loses 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:48.420 one sheep 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:50.139 and it says 00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:51.160 that he goes out 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.319 into the far country 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:54.139 to bring that sheep 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:54.619 home again. 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:56.220 In the second parable, 00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:56.819 there's a coin, 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.599 there's many coins 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.680 and this woman 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.619 loses one coin 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:01.180 and she flips her house over 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.359 just to find 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:03.039 the one coin. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.039 She goes on the hunt, 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.940 she goes on the search 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:07.380 and in the third parable, 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:09.200 there's a son, 00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:12.059 one of the sheep, 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.240 one of the coins, 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.340 one of the little bits 00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:16.200 of treasure of the father 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:17.759 and he goes out 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.500 in the far country. 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:19.700 See, 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.620 in parable one, 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.059 the shepherd goes 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:23.980 and gets the sheep 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.960 and brings them back 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.920 and parable two, 00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:27.000 the woman goes 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.320 and finds the coin 00:24:28.320 --> 00:24:29.580 and brings it back 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.920 but in parable three, 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:31.900 what's missing? 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:34.920 See, 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:36.340 what would a true 00:24:36.340 --> 00:24:37.780 elder brother have done? 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.100 A true, 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.500 a good, 00:24:39.600 --> 00:24:40.640 a righteous elder brother 00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.360 would have said, 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.540 Father, 00:24:42.860 --> 00:24:44.160 I will go into 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.880 the far country 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:46.680 and I will go 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.420 and bring 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.580 my prodigal 00:24:48.580 --> 00:24:49.540 little brother home again. 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:51.040 I will go get 00:24:51.040 --> 00:24:51.600 into the muck 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:52.660 of the pigs with him 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.400 if I have to 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.800 in order to bring him home. 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:55.800 See, 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:56.580 that's 00:24:56.580 --> 00:24:58.660 the real center 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.300 of the passage. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:00.240 Do, 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.759 do you have 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.200 a true 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.640 and better 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:03.259 elder brother 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:03.680 than this 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.140 elder brother? 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:05.759 Yes, 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.140 you do. 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.039 Jesus Christ, 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:08.119 he is the true 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:08.440 and better 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.000 elder brother, 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.079 Jesus Christ, 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:10.500 the righteous 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.299 and he says 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.200 in Hebrews, 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.599 I am not ashamed 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.319 to call you 00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:14.839 my brothers 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.440 and sisters. 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.559 Jesus Christ 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:20.420 went into 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.180 the far country 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.000 and got all 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.259 the way 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.920 into the muck 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.900 so that he 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.259 could bring you 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.720 home again 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.879 and the invitation 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:27.480 is before you, 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.099 will you come? 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:29.799 Will you come 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.660 and receive 00:25:30.660 --> 00:25:31.500 the father's embrace? 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.240 Let's pray. 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:33.500 Father, 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.440 we ask that you 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.519 would give us 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.299 faith tonight. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.980 We ask, 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.220 Lord, 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:38.559 that you would 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.079 help us to see 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.519 our need, 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:40.240 that we are not 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:42.160 saved by our morality, 00:25:43.119 --> 00:25:44.559 nor are we 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.660 too far gone 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.200 because of our 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.599 recklessness. 00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:47.140 And so, 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:47.940 we pray, 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.619 Lord, 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.460 whatever condition 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.579 we may be in tonight, 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.220 that you would 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.460 teach us the grace 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.160 of your gospel, 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:54.920 all because we have 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.740 a true and better 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.299 elder brother. 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.099 And we pray 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:58.299 for this grace 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:58.900 to be received 00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.559 in Christ's name. 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.259 Amen. 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.400 Amen. 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.560 --> 00:26:00.560 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:30.539 Thank you.