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The Parables of 4 Lost
Prodigals Luke 15:1-32 Before we get started lets first come to understand what is meant by the word prodigal. The one thing that we really need to be mindful of is that we take the time to learn the actual meaning of words, in order that we do not fall into the trap of those who will come along and attempt to redefine the meaning which will tend to cause us to led lead off into a misdirected path, or error. This is especially true when we are considering the words in the Bible. Words can and certainly do change or lose their meaning over time and also when they’re translated into another language. For example one time the Pepsi Cola Company had a slogan that said “Come alive with the Pepsi Generation” which they learned, too late, translates in Chinese was understood and translated into “Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave!” WOW!!! So what happens if I drink Diet Pepsi? Getting back again to the English word “prodigal.” We often use words without really understanding what they actually mean. Many of us have probably have read the parable of Jesus concerning the “prodigal son.” And perhaps you’ve even heard the word used to describe a “rebellious” or “a runaway son.” A prodigal is literally defined as a person who spends money or wealth in a recklessly extravagant way. With that understanding of the word let’s begin in Luke 15:1-2 where the Lord Jesus Christ, “friend of publicans and sinners” gathered together to hear Jesus. And “the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” And then in verse 3 “And He spake this parable unto them.” But first what is a parable, and why does Jesus use parables to speak to the people? A parable is short story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle. Jesus uses it to either hide a spiritual truth form some people and at the same time to reveal it to others. In Matthew 13:10-15 the disciples of Jesus came to Him and asked “Why speakest Thou unto them in parables? He (Jesus) answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Jesus gave the parables using common graphic analogies of things that were familiar to everyone (salt, bread, sheep, etc.) in order that their meaning would be made clear to the all of the common people of His time, and at the same time to hide them from the so-called religious doctors of divinity. This is in keeping with what Jesus said in Matthew 11:25 “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” And as it was in that time, so it is today! Let’s see this in action. When He taught using parables it left the well-educated priests, scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees scratching their heads in confusion. And then He would take His disciple aside and privately reveal the true spiritual meaning of each parable. He made a clear distinction between those who had been given “ears to hear” and those who persisted in their unbelief, as Paul pointed out in 2 Timothy 3:7 as “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” His disciples or His followers then and today have received a wonderful gist of spiritual discernment by which things of the Spirit are made clear to them. “He came unto His own” in John 1:11-13 “and his own received him not. But as many” (of His own) “as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” The more they accepted, the more He gives unto them! He uses His parables to open the eyes to the light of His truth and the ears to hear sweet words of eternal life to His disciples! And at the same time He closes off the light to those who confess themselves to be wise, but are spiritually blind. Jesus clearly understood that the truth is not good news to all that hear it; that is to those who do not have spiritual ears to hear. Apart from being born again of the Spirit they have no interest in the deep spiritual things of God. Parables are genuine food and drink to those who are blessed to “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6). To these people His short three parables contain great volumes of truth in very few words—and His parables, (rich in imagery,) are not easily forgotten by them. So, then, the parable is a blessing to those with willing ears, but to those with dull hearts and ears that are slow to hear, the parable is also an instrument of both judgment and mercy. And again what is a prodigal? A prodigal is someone who is reckless, extravagant, pleasure seeking, being characterized by rash and wasteful expenditure, one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly “led a prodigal life.” The English word “prodigal,” comes from a Latin word prodigere, which means to drive away, to squander. Now we will quickly see that all four parables have certain things in common? And we will notice that all four have someone who has lost something of value:
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