Thursday 16th March
Read Luke 15:11-16
“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.
13 ‘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.” (NIVUK)
The third parable in this sequence of lost things is perhaps the most famous because the expansive joy of the father when his son returns warms even the bitterest heart. But let us not move too quickly to the end of the story. The first two parables have taught us much about the nature of sin and sinners. The first that sinners are foolish and unable to save themselves. The second that sinners are spiritually dead and dwell in darkness. The final parable is perhaps even more disturbing, if that is possible, than the first two.
We gloss over the request of the younger son a little too quickly. ‘Father, give me my share of the estate’ (v12). To make this request plain, it is a wish that his father was dead. Estates are not usually divided whilst the owner still lives. They are distributed upon the death of the owner. Sin is not simply a wish to be left alone to do whatever one pleases (though it is that! (v13)) – it is an active desire for the death of the one in authority over you.
Jesus is explaining that sin is a desire to kill God and take what is His for oneself. It is a spiritual coup de tat. Having taken possession of His property, sin then continues to dishonour and disgrace Him in incalculable ways. Taking His name and image in vain, profligately abusing the grace offered by God and ending up unclean, unloved, filthy and alone (v14-16). It is an immensely sobering picture of sin and the sinner.
Consider these challenging words from the pastor to the Hebrews in light of Jesus’ description of what sin is like and why sinners need saving. “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” (Hebrews 6:4-6) (NIVUK). Leaving aside the theological questions this passage raises – can you see the parallels between Jesus’ parables and the pastor’s exhortation? Having repented from acts that lead to death, been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and been saved when lost – to then continue in profligate and ungrateful sin is to kill God once more and humiliate and disgrace Him again – just like the younger son.
Sin is serious. Continuing to sin even more so. It is important to remember that every day, confess one’s sin and seek forgiveness in Christ. Always remembering the words of the pastor – “Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case – the things that have to do with salvation.” (Hebrews 6:9) (NIVUK). Praise God that His grace is greater than our sin.
