Speaker: Pastor Neil Lindwall

Additional Resources: Extra readings can be found on this page and appear indented like this.

NIV Luke 15:11-12 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’¡! So he divided his property between them

The Seeker Will Not Force Love

NIV Luke 15:13-16 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.  

“Squandered” = διασκορπίζω diaskorpízō, dee-as-kor-pid'-zo; from G1223 and G4650; to dissipate, i.e. (genitive case) to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander:—disperse, scatter (abroad), strew, waste. – Strong’s Definitions.

And “Wild” = ἀσώτως asōtōs; adv. from the same comp. as 810; wastefully:― NASEC dictionary. asōtōs (an adverb, akin to asōtos, "a prodigal") – extravagantly wasteful because of "loose living," i.e. a debauched, profligate lifestyle (used only in Lk 15:13). See 810 (asōtía). – HELPS Lexicon.

NIV Luke 15:17-20a “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

NIV Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

NIV Luke 15:20b “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  

The Seeker Yearns for the Lost.   

“Compassion” = σπλαγχνίζομαι splanchnízomai, splangkh-nid'-zom-ahee; middle voice from G4698; to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity:—have (be moved with) compassion. – Strong’s Definitions.

Ran = τρέχω tréxō; a prim. vb.; to run:― NASEC dictionary. trexō) ("running wide-open") conveys intensely getting to the goal as quickly as possible. … sprinting with full effort…– HELPS Lexicon. 

“Kissed” = καταφιλέω kataphiléō, kat-af-ee-leh'-o; from G2596 and G5368; to kiss earnestly:—kiss. – Strong’s Dictionary. In sum, 2705 (kataphiléō) suggests "repeated or fervent kissing" (note the prefix, 2596/katá). – HELPS Lexicon.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, 19 his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. 20 They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21 Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid. 

NIV Luke 15:21-24 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

The Seeker Welcomes the Repentant

1. The Best Robe = Royal Status. 

“Protos Stolē” στολή stolḗ, stol-ay'; from G4724; equipment, i.e. (specially), a "stole" or long-fitting gown (as a mark of dignity):—long clothing (garment), (long) robe. – Strong’s Dictionary.  Stolē – a long, flowing robe worn of the elite (people of high station, wealth). "4749 (stolē) is a long robe, worn by the upper classes in the east" (Souter), "especially flowing raiment, a festal robe" (A-S). – HELPS Lexicon. Thayer’s notes this type of Robe was “worn by kings, priests, and persons of rank”.

2. A Ring = Family Authority

3. Sandals = Free Son, Not a Slave. 

The Seeker Restores the Broken.

NIV Luke 15:25-30 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

NIV Luke 15:31-32 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

The Seeker Celebrates the Found

CHOOSE YOUR ENDING 

• Are you the younger brother?  

• Are you the older brother?  

• Are you sitting comfortably inside?  

The pen is in your hand. It's your move. How does this story end for you?