THE PRODIGAL SON

The prodigal son is oneof the most prominent parables ever told by Jesus. The central theme ofthis parable is directly linked tothe theme of allthree parables in Luke 15.

[Luke 15:7]

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

[Luke 15:10]

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

The theme is the celebration in heaven over arepentant sinner.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus was largely opposed by the scribes and Pharisees because His teachings confronted theirbelief system and exposed theirsinful hearts.

[Luke 15:1]

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

[Luke 15:2]

But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

In the cultural context of Jesus’ audience, tosit with and dine with someone was considered as tantamount to approval and acceptance of that individual and the theological view of the scribes and Pharisees had no room for this behaviour. However, throughout scripture, it is vivid that Jesus was by no means a participant in anyone’s sin. However, throughout scripture, it is vividthat Jesus was by no means a participant in anyone’s sin. He was simply taking His ministry to the neediest of sinner. He said, “those who arewellhave no need of a physician but those who are sick.

I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Luke 5-3132). The parable commences with a boy asking his father to givehim the portion of the goods thatbelong to him (inheritance). This was an extremely shamefuldemand by the son because he was declaringthat hewanted tolive independent from his father and he wish his father was death. It is beyond possible to imagine any greater shame a son can cause his father and his family that this. From verse 13, “he gathered alltogether and journey to a far country where he wasted his possessions with prodigal living. After exhausting all his possessions, there arose agreat famine in that country and he began to be in want to the point that he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate. And no one gave him anything.(Verse 16) “But when he came to his senses he said, “how many of my father’s servant have bread and to spareand I perish with hunger. I will say to him, “Father I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am not worthy tobe called your son.

Make melike one of your hired servants. Here we see a turning point of the story. The beginning of repentance. The son remembers and realize that his father is good (providing hired servants with bread and tospare) and he recognized his ownsin and sinfulness whichis foundational for true repentance because we cannot cometoChrist for forgiveness of sin unless we are convicted of our own sinfulness. The son did not base his forgivenesson whether he feels forgiven but on the concrete goodness of his father andthe solid promise of od that if weconfess our sins, He willindeed forgive us (1 John 1:9).

We arefinally warned that we are not justified by our works but by faithin Christ alone. We are also encouragedthat though wemay be lost, fallen and fallible, Gods loving grace is sufficient to save and restoreus. Philip Yancey says ‘’ grace, like water, it flows to the lowest places”. Lastly, it’s imperative to highlight the fact that the joy in heaven is not cantered on the sinner but on the goodness ofGod.

His father sawhimfrom a distance and he had compassion and ran to him and kissed him and called for a big celebration he was sonwas lost but nowhe is found, he was dead but nowhe is alive. When the father heard of this celebration, he was veryangry which contradicted the father’s joy. He saidtohis father, “these many years I have been servingyou. I did not transgress your commandment and you never gave me a young goat to merry with my friends.” At this point we finally see the hateful heart of the older son. He alsodid not love the father but was more interested of recognition and benefits from the father. He did not share the samejoy with the father and preferred to merry “with friends”. Because of his legalism, he thinks the father owes him. This ishow the scribes and Pharisees are because they thought that by just keeping rules, God was pleased with them. Theydid not seethe need for the Father’s grace because they thought that keeping the rules made them right withGod and they missed God.

LIVINGAPRAYERFULLIFE:MAM’ TSHIDI

Livingaprayerfullifeiswhatdefinedthelifeof Jesusonearthanditcontinuestobeanefficient weapontoabelieverwhoprays.

[Ephesians6:18]

AndprayintheSpiritonalloccasionswithallkinds ofprayersandrequests.Withthisinmind,bealert andalwayskeeponprayingforalltheLord’s people.

[Romans 11:34]

"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"

[Romans 11:35]

"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?"

[Romans 11:36]

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

The crushing stones did not silence Stephen's prayer. What could silence earn for us?

Instead:

[Hebrews 4:16]

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. God has given us a responsibility also to pray for one another.

[James 5:16]

ScriptureconstantlyteachesusandaffirmJesusas GodbutthroughoutHisearthlyministry,heliveda lifeonobedienceandtotaldependenceinGod.This istheexampleoflifethatGodhasgivenusin Christ,toliveaprayerfullife.

[1Thessalonians5:17] praycontinually,

WhenJesustaughthisdisciplestopray,hesaid praylikethis"Ourfather...".It'sencouragingto knowwhenwepray,wearenotprayingtoa stranger,butweareprayingtothesovereignGod whoisourfather.Whenwepray,wedonotimprove onHisknowledgeaboutwhattodonextandone's prayerdonotimproveonHiswisdom.Heisall knowingandallpowerfulinHimself.

The sovereignty of God is an encouraging factor to pray because we know and believe that, although we are small and powerless, we arepraying to a great and powerfulGod who is in total control of everything. Even the cruel torture of the crucifixion could not silence Jesus's prayer.

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1873) famously said, "Noman can do me a truer kindness in this worldthan to pray for me." Hebelieved prayer is the greatest power inthe entire universe.

Whenever God is determined to do great work, He first set His people to pray.Since it is crystal clear throughout scripturethat God wants us topray(Matthew 7:7) and prayer really works if we pray according to His will and purpose. Wemust pray with Joy and confidence because our father is listening. If He had no interest to listen to our prayers, He would not bid usto pray.