A Love Story from Christ - Wayne DeCloux

A Love Story from ChristLuke 15:11-32 (NKJV) The Parable of the Prodigal SonA parable is a story that makes a point. Other than the point, we really cannot derive doctrine from the story. If we can find other Scriptures that are not parables that can substantiate some of the specifics of the story then we can derive useful doctrine for living.As we take a fresh look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son, I believe we can more fully understand how much God truly loves us; how much God truly loves you!The main character in the parable:1.     The loving, forgiving father, whose character remains constant throughout the story, and is a picture of God the Father. 2.     The younger son symbolizes the backslidden as he was previously a member of the family. 3.     The elder brother represents the self-righteous. The prodigal son realizes he had no right to claim a blessing upon return to his father’s household, nor does he have anything to offer, except a life of service, in repentance of his previous decisions.We see the father waiting for his son, perhaps daily searching the distant road, hoping for his appearance. The father notices him while he was still a long way off and ran to him. Obviously the father was longing for his son’s return.When the father reaches his son, he throw his arms around him despite the stench sweat and pig’s excrement.The father is so filled with joy at his son’s return that he doesn’t even allow his son to finish his confession. He doesn’t question or lecture him; instead, he unconditionally forgives him and accepts him back into fellowship. God our Father greatly loves us, and patiently waits for us to repent so he can show us His great love.Ephesians 2:4-5 (NKJV)Titus 3:4-5 (NKJV)1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)This prodigal son was satisfied to return home as a servant, but is restored back into the full privilege of being his father’s son. He had been transformed from a state of destitution to complete restoration. That is what God's love does for us!The father orders the servants to bring:1.     The best robe, (as sign of the prodigal’s acceptance back into the family)2.     A ring for the son's hand (a sign of authority and sonship) 3.     Sandals for his feet (as only servants did not wear shoes.) All these things represent what we receive in Christ upon salvation: The robe of the Christ's righteousness:Isaiah 61:10 (NKJV)Romans 8:15 (NKJV)Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV)Ephesians 1:4-6 (NKJV)The authority to drive out demons and heal the sick:Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)Matthew 21:19-21 (NKJV)Luke 10:18-19 (NKJV)Feet fitted with the preparation of the gospel of peace:Ephesians 6:14-15 (NKJV)Notice that the prodigal son was previously a member of the father’s household. Unsaved or backslidden they both have been victimized by sin and through their choices have become enslaved to sin.It amazes me that the father would even recognize his emaciated son while he was still a long way off. I would think that his hair would be a mess, his clothing rags, his stride faltering from lack of nourishment and water. How do you picture yourself after you have sinned? Do you see yourself as a mess? Do you see yourself as spiritually emaciated having nothing to offer your heavenly Father for His mercy?God knows you. He knows you are flesh. When you sin He knows that you will return to Him. He is looking for your return. He is not waiting to tell you how stupid you are or how you should have known better.When the prodigal returned his father gave him a new robe. When we return God restores us with the robe of righteousness. He places a signet ring on our finger symbolizing the authority of His kingdom and he gives us shoes with which to take His kingdom to the lost.I would submit that we need all three in order to accomplish God’s will for us. We obviously need the robe of righteousness that gives us right standing before God, allowing us to come boldly before His throne of grace. Hebrews 4:16When you pray do you come boldly with confidence before God’s throne in time of need? One cannot do that looking at how deserving or undeserving they are. Do you pray as the elders in Luke 7:1-5 (NKJV)?The elders of the Jews did not have confidence to request Jesus’ mercy and grace in time of need so they come before him attempting to convince Jesus as to how deserving the Centurion is. They replaced right relationship with Jesus, with works. We need the signet ring of God’s kingdom that gives us the authority to do the works that Jesus did and even greater works than those. John 14:12But there is one more item that we need in order to use the previous three gifts that we received. That item is to understand how much God loves us! 1 John 3:1a (NKJV)Ephesians 3:17-19 (NKJV)I don’t know what hurts are buried in your souls. I do know that God the Father is looking for you to turn to Him, to receive His forgiveness because Jesus Christ took it all onto himself on the cross. Like him you can say it is finished!