The Prodigal Repented

We’re studying Lk 15:11-32, typically known as the passage about the prodigal son.  A prodigal is one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly.  He’s not frugal or economical.

This story illustrates the first ten verses of Lk 15.  The son repenting matches the one sinner that repenteth; the sheep that was lost and is now found.  The father and his servants rejoicing match the joy in heaven.  And the angry elder son matches the Pharisees and scribes who disdained the publicans and harlots with whom Jesus had been eating.

Lk 15:10 speaks of the joy over “one sinner that repenteth”.

We’re going to study the stages of repentance in this passage.

First, there’s sin. v.13. He “wasted his substance with riotous living”.  Sin is anything that is contrary to the truth.  Notice the truth that the younger son ignored by his actions.  Prov 29:3 says, “he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance”.  Prov 20:21 says, “An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed”.  Prov 23:5 says, “riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven”.

The younger son learned the hard way that all these things are true.  And he learned these by sinning.  Sinners need repentance.  If a person is not sinning, he needs no repentance, Lk 15:7.

Second, sin has consequences.  Gal 6:7-8.  He spent all, he was in want, he fed swine, he was hungry (fain means willingly, gladly), and no man gave unto him.  These folks were happy to take his money when he was spending it with them, but they weren’t going to give him a dime now.

Third, a man must come to himself.  v.17.  When sin’s consequences bear down on a sinner, he must see the terrible condition he is in because of his sin.  He said, “I perish with hunger”.  Even my dad’s servants have it better than I do.  He concluded “I don’t want this anymore”.  This was not just a thought after a hangover.  He had plenty of those.  This was the wake up call.

Fourth, he must acknowledge his sin and decide to change, v.18.  He said, “I will arise and go to my father”.  Because his decision was to do right, his confession was right.  I have sinned against heaven.  This is first and foremost.  You gotta get it straight with God, first.  Ps 32:5, Ps 51:3-4, 2 Tim 2:24-26.

He said, “And before thee”.  If you hurt someone else with your sin, you should get it straight with them, as well.  But this is secondary to getting your life straight with God.

There was a right attitude in this decision.  A truly repentant sinner is humble.  He said that he was no more worthy to be called thy son.  Make me as one of thy hired servants.

Fifth, he must then act on his decision, v.20.  “And he arose”.  He went back where he got off the train, so to speak.  And he said exactly what he had decided to say, v.21.  He turned from his sin of whore mongering in the far country and wasting his substance.  He went home.

Repentance is a change of mind, heart, and attitude that leads to, and is followed by, a change of direction. Acts 20:21, 26:18, 20, and 1 Thes 1:9.

The result is that his father rejoiced.  v.24, “This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found”.

Notice, the father had compassion, v.20.  Jesus was moved with compassion toward the publicans and harlots.  We should have compassion toward sinners needing repentance rather than the attitude of the Pharisees.

To study the previous lesson, click on The Lost Sheep and Silver Piece.