“But the father said to his servants, ’Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:22-24)
Regarded by many as “the pearl of the parables,” the parable famously known as “the Prodigal Son” forms part of a threefold response to the criticism of the Pharisees and scribes toward Christ’s public acceptance of publicans (tax collectors) and sinners (Luke 15:1-3). It is well documented that the Pharisees were very influential in the Jewish community; so much so that many of Jesus’ believers would not openly follow him because they feared the wrath of the Pharisees (John 7:13, 12:42). They were a sect from amongst the Jews that were known mainly for their rigorous interpretation of the Mosaic Law. This group had so much power and influence in the community that they were able to replace many of the laws (which they “interpreted”) with their traditions and condemn anyone who did not follow them (Matthew 15:1-7). They conducted themselves as “doctors” of the law and had a very high opinion of themselves when it came to the accomplishment of the law; they believed themselves to be free of sin and were ready to point out other’s sins as a way to prove why they, the Pharisees, were superior (Luke 18:9-12). Therefore, it is not difficult to see why it would be “offensive” to them that someone whom was held in high esteem by the people as a rabbi (Jewish term for “master” or “teacher”) would be willing to sit and eat with those tagged by them as sinners and unworthy. It was this discriminatory attitude that our Master targeted when he spoke this parable. Our Lord, in his infinite wisdom, begins the third part of his response by stating, “A certain man had two sons” (Luke 15:11). It becomes easy to forget that Jesus began his parable this way because we become ensconced with the actions of the younger son; however, we must observe that our Lord begins his parable by noting that there were two sons because this is essential to the lesson he wants us to learn. Remember, he is addressing the Pharisee’s lack of compassion toward the publicans and sinners by their self-belief of superiority. In the parable, Christ illustrates this attitude by the reaction the elder son has toward his father’s welcome of his younger sibling. The elder son was offended that his younger brother had been received with such joy and honor. Christ’s lesson is then brought forth in two ways. First, the father responds to his eldest son’s reference of his brother as “thy son” by reminding him that he is also “thy brother” (Luke 15:30, 32). His crude response to his father’s joyful reaction to have been blessed in regaining his son from “death” is clearly demonstrated here by his refusal to recognize this man as his brother. Where his father was ready to forgive and reestablish his son at his side, the elder brother had already discarded him as his family. As far as he was concerned, his younger brother had died and this man was nothing more than an imposter seeking to once again take advantage of his father’s kindness. He compares himself with the man stating “I never transgressed your commandment at any time” and he “has devoured your livelihood with harlots” (Luke 15:29-30). By stating these two facts, he confirms what we have just stated, but also shows us why his response was so cold, void of compassion. His sole reflection on his younger brother’s transgressions of his father’s commandments blinded him from recognizing the true purpose of his father’s joy. He was more concerned with punishing the transgressor instead of having mercy on a repented soul. This was the same attitude the Pharisees were having when they scoffed at Jesus for sitting and eating with sinners. Their focus was more on the sin and not the sinner. Therefore Jesus’ second way of teaching his lesson of compassion can be seen by the father’s instructions to his servants. He commands his servants seven concise instructions that reflect on what the attitude should be with the sinner:
- Bring out the best robe
- Put it on him
- Put a ring on his hand
- Sandals on his feet
- Bring the fatted calf here
- Kill it
- Let us eat and be merry
They were to tend to his needs and care for his wounds. Observe that they, the servants, obey the father’s instructions. When a lost soul returns to our Father, we must follow these same instructions. When the sinner sincerely repents of his sins, we bring Christ to them by teaching them the gospel (the best robe, Romans 10:9-15). To be able to put Christ on them, we must first remove the tattered garment they are wearing by baptism (put it on him, Galatians 3:26-27). God’s grace will then stamp them with His Holy Spirit (put a ring on his hand, Ephesians 1:13-14). We must wash and cure their feet so they may be able to walk righteously (sandals on his feet, Ephesians 4:17-24). We must receive their repentance (bring the fatted calf here, Matthew 18:5-6) and no longer point to their past sins (kill it, Romans 15:1-2). Finally, we must rejoice with them for their conversion (Let us eat and be merry, Acts 15:3). By doing this, we will then help our younger siblings to grow.