The Prodigal's Rejoicing 20-24.
HIS RETURN WAS WELCOMED.
1. There is NO word of rebuke or reproach. "Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison, and spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon," Jer 52:31-32. The soul that humbles itself will be lifted up. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up," James 4:10. "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged," I Cor 11:31.
There is only healing balm applied. The oil and wine, Luke 10:34.
2. The returning penitent sinner is embraced by the Lord. This is why those first moments of new life are so memorable. He never was so close to his father before and rarely afterwards.
3. The Lord shows a knowledge of our frame. This was the moment when drawing back could take place, the moment of doubt. 'A way to hell from the very door of heaven,' - John Bunyan.
4. The embrace and kiss made confession all the more necessary.- Love squeezes out a confession. Never did his sin of leaving his father's house appear more wicked than when in his father's arms. Grace sets sin in its proper light. "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance," Psa 90:8. "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest," Psalm 51:4.
He did not get finishing his planned entreaty! His father had other plans!
HIS RETURN WAS THE OCCASION OF JUBILATION.
1. Merriment is a central part of the life of heaven. Verses 7, 10. It is centred upon repenting sinners and returning wanderers.
2. The household of God plays a part in the return. Verse 22. We must assist in turning the prodigal into a son again. The robe, the ring, the shoes and the celebration.
3. God has ordained that growth in grace is to be assisted by the people of God. We must offer fellowship and aid the wanderer to cease from his former ways. "And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go," John 11:44.
4. The joy of the saint is to be the joy of repentant sinners. "For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye," Ezekiel 18:32. What makes the repentant sinner truly happy is our joy.
The joy of the believer consists of three stages:-- * The joy of union with Christ. * The joy of continuing communion with Christ in company with the church. * The eternal uninterrupted joy of the Father's banqueting house in glory.
Let us enter into those joys available to us with the expectation of greater joy yet to come.
Only the gospel story has a truly happy ending!
HIS RETURN WAS THE OCCASION OF DIVISION.
Verse 28. Christ work causes anger. Luke 12:51-53; John 9:16.
The elder brother was the true rebel against his father. Matt 21:29-31.