City Life Starter

Written Scott Fiddler

The Word

11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to [f]his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:11-24

Commentary

“But when he came to his senses…” Luke 15:17. The story of the prodigal son is a story of repentance, repentance Jesus describes as coming to one’s senses. It’s an awakening to reality, seeing the world the way it really is, understanding there is a God who is just and holy, and you are not, and your failure to be holy is not merely a “mistake” excused by facile platitudes like, “well no-one is perfect” but is rightly a great offense to the God who created you.

A few weeks ago, I watched Beavis and Butthead Do the Universe (which I don’t recommend you see). I’ve been told I have an eclectic appreciation of movies, which is probably generous. While watching the movie, I realized the Beavis and Butthead movies were appealing—to the extent one finds them appealing—because they are coming-of-age movies where the protagonists never come of age. Beavis and Butthead are the epitome of stunted adolescence, forever locked in an unreal world governed by their pubescent perception. We—some of us at least—can only watch, and remember, and laugh.

It is the same with those who have not truly repented. They have dummied down God to a unidimensional cosmic Santa Claus who is so desperate for their companionship He overlooks their misdeeds. After all, they think, they are not as bad as Hitler or Harvey Weinstein. They think God grades on the curve. They are living in unreality. They have not come to their senses.

Application

True repentance is recognizing that God is holy and just, and we are not. It is recognizing our failure to live according the law of the Creator without whom we would not exist, justly offends Him, and make us deserving of death.

It is only then we can truly turn from our sin and desperately embrace our Savior who took the punishment we so justly deserved so we could, like the prodigal of the parable, be reconciled to our Father.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for sending Your Son to take the punishment I so deserved so that I could be reconciled to You. Amen.