PrintThe Kingdom Party
For many years, whenever I was trying to explain the meaning of the word 'repentance', I would refer to the parable Jesus taught that we call "The Prodigal Son" (recorded in Luke 15). Actually, we would be more accurate if we called this amazing teaching parable "The Two Prodigal Sons" because, while only one son left home, neither lad related to his father on an acceptable basis.
So, exactly when did the younger son repent? [By the way, the older son never did repent. He stuck with his own expression of rebellion; rebellion of a religious kind!]
"When he finally came to his senses…." (v.17). At this stage, the young lad is bankrupt, friendless, and, like the land around him, in the grip of drought and famine. He realised that even the servants back at his own home were better off than he was at this stage. "When he finally came to his senses….". Has he now repented?
Not yet.
So, he made his way home and, as he did so, he prepared and practiced his speech; a speech that was designed to appeal to his father's compassion.
"Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man." Vs.18-19.
Surely he is repenting now even though his motivation is quite self-centred. Certainly we have here a clear confession of his sin of rebellion. But confession and repentance are quite separate dynamics. One can confess one's sin/s without being repentant. So, has the lad now repented?
Not yet.
Arriving home, this wayward son is greeted in a way that he could never have expected in his wildest dreams. But he missed it!
"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.'(vs. 20-21)
This son was trying to organize a deal with his father. He was trying to come home on his terms. He thought he could arrange the terms of reconciliation with his father. But the father is the one who has been wronged, dishonoured and slighted by his younger son. The father is the one who sets the terms. So, in coming home and being greeted by his father in such an extraordinary and extravagant manner, has the son now repented?
Not Yet.
The truth is that the father will have none of this "make amends" talk. In fact the father wouldn't even listen to all of this boy's well-rehearsed speech. He had his own terms of reconciliation and they bore no resemblance to the son's terms.
"But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.(vs. 22-24)
So, when did this younger son repent? He repented when he abandoned his terms of reconciliation and accepted his father's terms. He repented when he allowed his father to put the ring on his finger, the shoes on his feet, the robe on his shoulders and when they went into the party. Has he now repented?
YES!
Enjoy the party! It's for you and me!!
