The 4th Sunday in Lent occurs on March 18, 2007. The three assigned lectionary readings are Isaiah 12:1-6 (God is my salvation); 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (God is already reconciled) and Luke 15:1-3a, 11-21 (The Compassionate Father). One text that makes for a great L&G sermon is Luke 15:18 in which the younger son decides, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.’”
Most commentaries interpret this verse as one of repentance on the part of the younger son who at the beginning of the parable told his father to drop dead since he wanted his share of the inheritance. The story is understood as the son losing all of his fortune in prodigal living and thus comes to his senses (verse 17) to realize that he needs to go back to his father in repentance over his sins. Of course, such an interpretation leads to encouraging others also to repent of their sins so that they might be restored by God the Father.
The problem with such an interpretation is that it contradicts the rest of the chapter in regards to the lost sheep and lost coin. For what does the lost sheep or lost coin do to get found? Nothing. But if the wayward son returns in repentance, then he would get partial credit for being restored as a member of the family. The context of the verse demonstrates an attitude though on the part of the son that most commentaries miss.
For the passage reads, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.’” As Dr. Ken Bailey points out, the son is coming back to manipulate the father. He knows what the father needs to hear about repentance but then he is going to ask not just to be a slave or servant on the farm but the top-paid hired independent craftsman!
True repentance does not take place until AFTER the father sees him from a great way off, has compassion on him, runs to him and kisses him. This totally unexpected action of the father then leads the son to respond properly with repentance but now without any request for a good paying job. When the true repentance is recognized, which is contrition plus trust in his father’s merciful attitude, the father then restores the son to full sonship.
It is an important passage to once more demonstrate that those who attempt by their works or attitude to win God over are never truly repentant. Only the action of God, in the person and work of Jesus Christ, truly is used by the Holy Spirit to create faith in the unbeliever which results in proper repentance which is contrition along with faith in a merciful and gracious God.
Name:Tom Baker