The Mercy that Leads to New Life

 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate” (Luke 15:11-24).

Jesus continued His response to the grumbling of the Pharisees and the scribes. He related a long and detailed story of a father’s dealing with his impetuous and rebellious son. The first two thirds of the parable focus on the father’s delicate and purposeful handling of the rebellious heart of his youngest son. The conclusion of the parable focus on the father’s handling of the jealous and scornful heart of his elder, obedient son. Our Teacher, the Holy Spirit reveals some wonderful truth as we study the first part of this well-known parable. When we consider that in this parable Jesus intended the father to represent our Heavenly Father, we get a precious glimpse of the mercy that leads to new life.

God is merciful in our rebellion. When the younger son demanded his share of the “property that is coming to me” he was disobeying the law of inheritance and disrespecting his father. An inheritance was only to be received upon the passing or at the discretion of the father. By waiting and faithfully serving his father the son would enjoy the blessing of a much greater inheritance at the appointed time. As children of God, true disciples have the promise of an eternal inheritance… “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). The Lord is merciful toward us by preserving this precious inheritance for His repentant children no matter how long we persist in our rebellion against Him… “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-6).

God is merciful in our repentance. When the prodigal son “came to himself” he was finally able to see the truth of his fallen condition. His repentant heart revealed that he believed his father would receive him back, at least as a servant. He believed his father’s heart reflected the eagerness of our Heavenly Father to embrace us when we repent… “The LORD your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him” (2 Chronicles 30:9). The Spirit inspired the apostle John to remind us of the mercy of God toward His repentant children… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

God is merciful in our return. Upon the prodigal’s return his father dressed him, sacrificed a calf, and hosted a great feast, all of which reflects the mercy of God toward each and every one of His repentant children… “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

As we grow up into Christ, we appreciate more and learn to share with others…

The Mercy that Leads to New Life.