March 30 Sunday, Sermon Manuscript

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

The Prodigal Son: A Story of Reversal

1.     The passage we read today is a very familiar scripture to us. It is often read and understood under the theme of the "return of the prodigal son" or "the story of the lost son being found." We naturally assume that the central theme of this story is the return of the younger son, whom we call the prodigal son. However, when we look at verses 1-3, we can sense that the theme of this story might be different.

2.     Personally, I have pondered whether the main character in this passage is actually the father rather than the younger or the elder son. The younger son, who lived a turbulent life, ended up destitute and returned home, making him a relatable figure and seemingly the protagonist. However, when we consider the father who wholeheartedly embraces this son, it becomes clear that the true protagonist of the story must be the father.

3.     Before delving into the story of the prodigal son, let us first examine the situation Jesus was in. In verses 1 and 3, it is recorded, "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus." Luke 15 deliberately sets up the tension of tax collectors and sinners drawing near to Jesus. Verse 2 reveals how this tension is expressed: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” This shows that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, who opposed Jesus, were framing him as someone who mingled with sinners.

4.     Today, we often hear that we live in an era where people are afraid to express their opinions. Many refrain from openly stating their thoughts or the direction they wish to take in life, fearing that it may cause conflict. This may seem like a wise approach, but at the same time, the effort to remain neutral and avoid speaking up can worsen situations. This phenomenon likely stems from the tendency to view those with differing opinions or perspectives as "enemies" with whom dialogue is impossible.

5.     Some scholars describe the times we live in as "an age where silence leaves us directionless and blind."

6.     In any case, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were displeased with Jesus for associating with tax collectors and sinners. This raises the question: Why did they find tax collectors and sinners so unacceptable? And why were they even more upset that Jesus was interacting with them?

7.     Tax collectors were those who collected taxes on behalf of the Roman Empire from their own people. This alone was enough to cause resentment. Additionally, the system allowed tax collectors to take extra for themselves, meaning the more they collected, the greater their personal profit. This naturally led to further disdain toward them. The term "sinners" is translated from the Greek word πονηρός (poneros), which typically means "evil" but, in this context, refers to those who were not legally or religiously pure—those judged by the standards of the Pharisees and teachers of the law.

8.     Because of this, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were uncomfortable with tax collectors and sinners being around Jesus. In response to this, verse 3 states that Jesus, understanding their thoughts and reactions, "told them this parable." The first parable is the Parable of the Lost Coin, and the second is the Parable of the Lost Son.

9.     The message in Jesus' parables is clear. Just as a woman searches her entire house for a lost coin and rejoices when she finds it, and just as a father welcomes his lost son with a feast, Jesus conveys that tax collectors and sinners are like that lost coin and lost son.

10.  Here, Jesus challenges the prevailing social perception of tax collectors and sinners by likening them to valuable lost items. In society, once a person is labeled with a negative reputation, it is almost impossible to remove that stigma. People continuously bring it up, making it a lifelong burden. This is why we emphasize “self-management.” While maintaining a good image can be beneficial, it can also lead to dishonesty and excessive concern with appearances.

11.  One of the comments I frequently hear is, “Pastor, you don’t seem like a typical pastor.” This is both a compliment and a concern for me. If I am supposed to live as a pastor, yet people say I don’t seem like one, does that mean I have failed in my role? Or does it mean that the traditional image of a pastor isn’t what I aspire to?

12.  I have come to understand that my goal is not to conform to the traditional image of a pastor, but to live according to the calling I truly believe in. This realization brings me comfort.

13.  In any case, the parables Jesus tells in today’s passage challenge the common consciousness of the time and reveal what God truly desires. Tax collectors and sinners are like the lost coin and the lost son. This is the lens through which we should read today’s passage. This parable reveals God’s heart—waiting with love, like the father, for sinners to return.

14.  In verse 11, Jesus introduces the second parable: “There was a man who had two sons.” The tension begins in verse 12 when the younger son says, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” The passage quickly unfolds as “the father divided his property between them.” The phrase “my share of the estate” uses the Greek word ουσία (ousia), meaning "property," while “property” that the father divides is βίος (bios), meaning "life."

15.  In Israel at that time, inheritance was typically given only after the father’s death. For the son to demand his share early was akin to declaring, “I consider you dead.” This request meant that the younger son was essentially asking for his father’s life.

16.  The passage describes how the younger son squandered his wealth in wild living. By verse 14-16, we see his descent—he had to depend on others, took a job feeding pigs, and was so desperate that he wished to eat the pigs’ food, yet no one gave him anything.

17.  His downfall seemed inevitable. Those hearing the parable would likely feel that such a sinful person deserved this fate. However, an unexpected twist occurs in verse 17.

18.  “When he came to his senses,” the English translation states, while the original Greek μεγαλωσύνη (megalosune) conveys the idea of regaining dignity or turning back to God.

19.  The son realizes his condition and decides to return to his father, humbling himself: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.”

20.  We often believe that people don’t change, but the Bible tells us otherwise. The younger son, despite his reckless life, truly repents and reclaims his dignity.

21.  His return is met with an incredible display of compassion. In verse 20, “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.”

22.  In the following verse, the father runs to his son, throws his arms around him, and kisses him. Then, in verse 21, the startled son confesses: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

23.  Do you know what the true nature of sin is? Is it that we will be judged because of our sins? Or is it that guilt will torment us and make us miserable? No, the greatest problem with sin is not these things. Sin separates us from the Father. The returning son, in front of the father who embraces him with compassion and kisses him, says: "I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

24.  This seems like a respectful and appropriate attitude. But if we look closely, he says that he is no longer worthy to be called a son. And the reason? Because of his sin. He is speaking of separation.

25.  This confession aligns with the beliefs of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. If someone sins, how could they have the audacity to call God their Father? This is precisely what sin does—it creates separation. The law acknowledges this. But the role of the law ends there.

26.  However, God, as portrayed through the father in today's passage, has already embraced his son with eyes full of mercy. This is the nature of God’s love.

27.  Being bound by sin means rejecting the mercy that God offers through His love. In verse 22, the father interrupts his son’s confession and does something completely unexpected. He tells the servants to bring the best robe and put it on him, place a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet. The act of putting a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet signifies that he is being restored as an heir, not merely as a servant. Then, the father orders them to slaughter the fattened calf and celebrate. In verse 24, he says: "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So, they began to celebrate.

28.  The reason Jesus ate with sinners was because they were the ones who had been dead and lost but were now returning. His mission was to bring them back to life and restore them. In other words, even the law, which the Pharisees and teachers of the law so strictly adhered to, ultimately pointed toward this very purpose.

29.  In verse 25 and beyond, the older son appears. The older son seems to represent the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He has remained by his father’s side without issue. However, the text mentions that when the younger son first demanded his inheritance, the father also divided his wealth between them. This implies that the older son had already received his share of the inheritance as well.

30.  The older son was out working in the field and, upon returning home, heard the sound of music and dancing. When he asked a servant what was happening, he was told that his younger brother had returned, and that the father had slaughtered the fattened calf to celebrate his safe return. This infuriated the older son. His anger resembles the attitude of the Pharisees and teachers of the law who were displeased with Jesus eating with sinners.

31.  He then complains to his father: “All these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.” Here, Jesus delivers the key message he wanted to convey. In verse 31, the father responds:"My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours."

32.  Jesus does not disregard the efforts of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. He does not deny that they have worked hard to follow God's commandments. However, while they have already been enjoying the blessings of God, they are acting unkindly toward others who are just now receiving grace. Through this, Jesus reveals God's merciful plan. The gospel is meant to be good news for everyone. If the Pharisees and teachers of the law had truly listened to Jesus, they too would have rejoiced. They would have realized, "We have already received everything from God!"The sinners and tax collectors, too, would have rejoiced, saying: "We thought we were too sinful to approach God, but His grace is far greater than we imagined! We never knew He was this merciful!"

33.  What Jesus desires is for everyone to rejoice and celebrate before God's mercy and love.

34.  This is a familiar story, but it is filled with deep and profound truths. Jesus is telling us that God loves both the older son (the Pharisees and teachers of the law) and the younger son (the tax collectors and sinners). This is what we need to understand about the parable of the prodigal son.

35.  Jesus spent time with tax collectors and sinners because He anticipated the divine reversal that God would bring about in their lives. This was the direction of His ministry.Many of us live according to what we believe is logical, practical, and socially acceptable. We assume that once something has been decided, it is difficult to change. But the gospel shames the so-called “logical” conclusions of the world and leads us in completely unexpected directions.

36.  The fact that the younger son repented was an unforeseen reversal. The fact that the father graciously welcomed him back is the merciful heart of God that we must remember.

37.  This helps us determine the direction of our own lives. We do not have to live as if everything is already set in stone. If we turn back to God, we can start anew. Instead of believing that others deserve only justice, we should also extend mercy and grace to ourselves and boldly accept the path that God has prepared for us.

38.  God's merciful eyes are always open, and we live on this earth by confessing and relying on His grace.

39.  So let us not hesitate—let us turn back and walk together in the history of divine reversals that God has prepared.

Amen.