![]() ![]() The former represents the Jews in general, and particularly the Pharisees, whom he was endeavouring to reconcile to that grace of God which was offered to, and bestowed upon, sinners. Now this latter represents the publicans and sinners, whom Christ is endeavouring to bring to repentance, and the Gentiles, to whom the apostles were to be sent forth to preach repentance. He had two sons, one of them a solid grave youth, reserved and austere, sober himself, but not at all good-humoured to those about him such a one would adhere to his education, and not be easily drawn from it but the other volatile and mercurial, and impatient of restraint, roving, and willing to try his fortune, and, if he fall into ill hands, likely to be a rake, notwithstanding his virtuous education. It represents the children of men as of different characters, though all related to God as their common Father. God is the God, not of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles, ( ): the same Lord over all, that is rich in mercy to all that call upon him. Our Saviour hereby intimates to those proud Pharisees that these publicans and sinners, whom they thus despised, were their brethren, partakers of the same nature, and therefore they ought to be glad of any kindness shown them. He is our Father, for he has the educating and portioning of us, and will put us in his testament, or leave us out, according as we are, or are not, dutiful children to him. From him we had our being, in him we still have it, and from him we receive our maintenance. We are all his offspring, have all one Father, and one God created us. The parable represents God as a common Father to all mankind, to the whole family of Adam. We have here the parable of the prodigal son, the scope of which is the same with those before, to show how pleasing to God the conversion of sinners is, of great sinners, and how ready he is to receive and entertain such, upon their repentance but the circumstances of the parable do much more largely and fully set forth the riches of gospel grace than those did, and it has been, and will be while the world stands, of unspeakable use to poor sinners, both to direct and to encourage them in repenting and returning to God. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again and was lost, and is found. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again he was lost, and is found. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land and he began to be in want. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. Luk 15:15 | MHC | STEP | The Prodigal Son.
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