The ‘prodigal-son parable’ of Luke 15 has been much preached as an evangelical message for the ‘sinner’ to come home! In context, it is a parable from Jesus towards the pharisees (v.3) exposing their murmuring due to their deep-seated resentment towards those who’d purposed to follow the Messiah instead of their religious ways.

Let us look more closely to the detail in this parable and see that Jesus was, as usual, speaking of the Kingdom of Heaven . . . and even more than that, He was placing before us a scene that we might will find ourselves in if we desire to come into the image of God — Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). Having been given so much by the Lord Jesus Christ, we could find ourselves feeling dried up and hungry. Perhaps we lost the oneness with Father and the experiencing of being in His house. We feel like that we are all alone in a far place . . . such a contrast to being in the corporate flow of Father’s house.

Which of the two sons do we identify with? The unworthy son who forgot who he was and who wasted what he had been given but changed direction, or the son who was ‘in a rut’ of unbelief as to who he was and what he had and who didn’t change direction?

Let us walk through this account to discover that it is about the Kingdom of God and His coming forth in us in His fullness of resurrection life. I saw a T.V. advertisement recently which indicated that if you wanted to be the best, then "you must have an open mind, an honest heart and a willingness to change". Many of the following comments will speak into your life, if you qualify as being teachable. I also heard from a ministry recently that "if you are not prepared to be wrong in WHAT you believe (Notice it is WHAT not WHO you believe!), you will not go any further with God".

The provision of the cross has given all saints the opportunity to move as true first-born sons. Those that actually will walk in that calling will know its great value and will also have learned the correct attitude that is clearly seen as progress (i.e. maturing) occurs. There is a difference between knowing about one’s calling and inheritance and actually pressing in to experience it.

Luke 15: (11) And he (JESUS) said, A certain man had two sons:

His father’s household consisted of two types of ‘sons’ as well as servants. Both were ‘huios-sons’ at this opening stage and both were in father’s house. Both had this God-given potential birthed within them to come to the place of moving as a true ‘son’ . . .as father — in His house. Why did the younger son want to leave home? The simple answer is that his ego was in control of his life. His bless me and lead me prayers were saturated with good motives, but alas, would edify and promote self. So often one’s own ego-powered spirit can come up with answers that look very spiritual indeed!

(12) And the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me". And He divided unto them His living.

The younger son’s inheritance was a single portion of the will designated by his father . . . and that didn’t worry him for there was no jealousy in him. Notice the ‘them’. . . the elder son’s portion of the inheritance which he received at the same time, would have been ‘the double portion’ of ‘the first-born son’. Like so many Christians today, he didn’t realize what had been given to him. This father gave them all that pertained to his life. Father has released all of His authority and resources to His sons, His called-out ones. . . so that each one can walk in the reality of the Spirit irrespective of where heis. However, this young man was being driven by his fallen nature called SELF.

"Give ME!" . . . the ‘ME’ wanted to be in charge of his life . . . yes, his Christian life! This was the first downhill step expressed by the younger brother. SELF-interests, which always include pleasure and the easier way resulting from being ‘short-sighted’, will cause any spiritual life that we have, to dry up until it is all wasted away. (see v. 13).

This man’s inheritance was all that he needed to ‘walk with God in his garden of Eden’ — IN his heart from whence come forth the issues of life. Why did this son want to leave home? What was the inner drive that climaxed with such a decision? Simply that he was not fully surrendered to his Father’s will. Outwardly this relationship appeared good for he could freely ask for his inheritance. However, he had lost the real closeness of relationship with his father . .. he was no longer fully ‘at rest’ in father’s house. Whenever ‘self’ with its good ideas rises up replacing Father’s voice within, a restlessness will surface. One’s peace will be disturbed and ‘doing’ or ‘going’ will rise up above that place of being and rest.

(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 (SELF-CENTRED) living.

Notice that the scripture says it was ‘his’ substance . . . ‘his’ anointed talent! . . .‘his’ gifting . . .Yes, even ‘Prodigal Ministries Inc.’. . . ‘his’ ministry . . . many times these produce only a surface blessing and ‘your substance’ (faith!) will eventually dry up.

The word ‘wasted’ means scattered abroad . . . without any set purpose or vision, like scattering seed hoping some will land in the right place in spite of the wind! By contrast, we are called to walk in the Spirit knowing the purpose of God — the what, where and with whom God is moving.

(14) And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

His prayer-life probably sounded like a ‘shopping list’ for God to fill!

There is ‘A famine of hearing the word of God’. . . Amos 8:11. We so often hear the word of the Lord with an ear of how it will bless us or our Church instead of how it will please Father. There is much word being shared over pulpits and breakfast tables, but just how many can hear what God is saying in this hour? How many are becoming ‘established in present truth’? (2 Peter 1:12). What you believe and who you ‘flow’ with in fellowship, will influence your growth, progress and effectiveness.

(15) And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

Instead of eating "humble pie" and ‘going home’, he looked to ‘a man’ for his answer.

‘He joined himself’ . . . the Greek text for ‘joined’ is cleaved or glued together . No wonder, when one is committed or ‘glued’ to a denomination ("that country") and one is on a ‘starvation diet’, it is hard to separate oneself and ‘come out of her, my people’ ( II Cor. 6:17). One needs to return to Father and His House where Father’s word is ALL that matters. In the ‘far country’, there will be much activity, revivals, meetings, some even with scraps of life-giving word that end up being trampled under foot.

(16) And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

‘Fain have filled’ = (Gk.) longing to feed himself like the pigs were doing . . . even the scraps of food were beginning to look appetizing! In parallel many ‘sons’ in a far country simply do not know how to feed themselves. They look to a ‘visionless’ Pastor — such a ‘Man’ cannot help at all. ‘Husk sermons’ have no nutrition in them, the kernels of spiritual life have been discarded by the ‘letter word beliefs’ of the knowledge of good and evil. The carnal mind delights to wallow in rigid patterns which also satisfies the conscience . . . of one’s ego!

What caused the son in this far placeto turn around? Rather, Who caused him to? If it was his own reasoning power alone, why didn’t he do it sooner? His old memories were clouded over with the self-gratifying memories of recent times. One can also include ‘spiritual pleasures’ of good meetings, boisterous singing (mistaken for worship!) where one can feel good doing ‘Christian’ things. All it needs is for GOD, who is in each of us, to simply turn on His ‘drawing power’ (no man can come to father, except He draw him). Father’s heartbeat has a longing for communion with those of His sons who are in a far country. In this parable, Father knew of his son’s hunger and the longing in his heart. He knew too that there would eventually be a turnaround, for He could see a great ways off! Let me remind you that we are speaking here of one’s relationship with Father.

(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 here’ — (this word ‘here’ is included in the original texts — Bullinger).

This son’s self-effort of living came to an end . . . there was no more ‘ego’ vying for the throne in his life. He acknowledged that ‘Father’ was Lord of his life. He became aware of his real self . . . who he really was! A son of His Father’s house . . . where there was an abundance of good sustenance. He had had enough of being affected by famine . . . no relationship with father, no growth because of the famine, no anointing, no awareness of ‘present truth’, no liberty to move in the Spirit . . . and so on! Decision time! . . . to stay where he was OR to go to where Father’s word was being heard and accomplished.

(18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

When one comes to this realization of failure, one cannot remain where one is at, there must come a moving on! There must be a definite change of direction. God’s presence never left that younger son . . . for Father’s heartbeat was drawing him back into his calling. I have heard this parable preached in such a way that when the ‘prodigal came to himself’, it was because he had just sold his last shirt and ‘came to himself’! Sounds like an exposure of plain ‘flesh’! Yes, there must be a moving on!

(19) And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants’.

He honestly thought that he could lose the father-son relationship because he had ‘missed the mark’. . . and anyway, being a servant wouldn’t be that bad! He went over and over in his mind how he would express his repentance — for he had ‘missed the mark’ (= the mean of the word ‘sin’) . . . even the MARK of the prize of the high calling of God (Philippians 3:14).

(20) And he arose, and came to his father. 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.

This son made up his mind and decisively turned and left that ‘far country of unbelief’ and was homeward bound . . . and Father knew it all along for He was waiting for him. It didn’t matter now that he had wasted what had been given him by his Father . . . it didn’t matter that he had nothing left . . . it didn’t matter that he had let his Father down . . . it didn’t matter that the aroma of where he had been was still upon him . . .it didn’t matter that he was still ‘a great way off’ (from flowing with his Father) . . . this ‘son’ was coming home — coming alive AGAIN at last. The Father’s love simply swamped everything!

(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".

‘Father, I’ve been a hindrance to your kingdom coming forth and replaced You and Your ways with my own. I surrender my ego and what it naturally produces!’

‘The first shall be last and the last first’ . . . The first-born son had the first-born’s inheritance and did not move in it or with it. The last-born son, because of his repentance along with a humble attitude of being willing to take the ‘servant’ position, was being blessed with the first-born’s inheritance.

(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:

When there are a number of and’s in a sentence, it show tremendous emphasis to the details. In verses 22 and 23, there are seven and’s . . . showing a ‘perfect and complete provision.‘7’ means perfect and complete. A perfect and complete reinstating into what was wasted (lost). This ‘willing servant’ was being adopted as a ‘son’ evidenced by all he received from his father . . . the robe, the ring and the shoes. ‘Ring’ here means ‘a signet ring’ and is only used here in the New Testament.

Comparing with Genesis 41:41-42, it is used in context of someone being sealed in place in an all-important position of responsibility. Remember that ‘adoption’ in the Greek (HUIOTHESIA) means ‘THE PLACING OF A MATURE SON’. Notice that the robe was put on him by another at Father’s command Could it have been Father’s robe? . . . His robe of righteousness? Servants do not have sandals, only sons! This signified that his request to be as a hired servant, was denied and that this son was brought up higher . . . he did well offering to take the lowest place! In Father’s presence it will come easy to submit to another. A signet ring carries the seal of the one in authority. Father’s special image would be embossed on His signet ring. Every time that ring touched a soft receiving substance, it would leave the impression of the image that was on the ring. When the ring of adoption is given to someone, then every time they touch a gentle, hungry and teachable life, some mark or image of God (Christ) is left upon them. It is time for us to come to Father’s house with understanding.

(23) And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

The accompanying FEAST . . . the feast of Tabernacles is pictured here because it was related to the picture of resurrection. . . this My son is alive again . . . the feast of joy is a part of Tabernacle’s celebration.

(24) For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found". And they began to be merry.

We come alive when we are born again . . . this account has a deeper meaning for this son was not just ‘alive’ — but ‘ALIVE AGAIN’. This son had finally learned that the natural life cannot produce the life of the Spirit — only death. The ‘self-life’ was finally put to death when the ‘outer man’ came to the end of its ‘source of life’ which is man’s natural reasoning. Remembering and believing the word that Father has spoken becomes difficult while our dependency is upon ‘natural things’. Without Father’s thoughts, a spiritual famine will become evident.

This son could have been moving in a false humility . . . proud that he was humble in never asking for any handouts! He would be with the servants — a decision out of his ego. One just has to have fellowship, isn’t that right? When one sees his spirit later, one can hardly include him among those moving graciously!

(25) Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

The ‘son’ would normally be in the house . . . this son was with the ‘servants’ in the field of much activity. Moving as a servant showed that he either felt unworthy or he was ignorant of the blessings of being a son with an inheritance.

(26) And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

(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".

(28) And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.

In this parable, the entreating of his Father had no effect upon him. He just did not hear Father’s heart-cry because he was not sensitive in the spirit at all. Some so-called ‘sons’ are sometimes critical of the others’s liberty and blessings in the Spirit. "The work has to be done" . . . this was this son’s binding vision. God has called each one to a specific place in Him so that His plan of the ages can be brought to fruition.

(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 gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

How come? He’d already been given father’s ‘living’. This unfulfilled elder son was still moving under the law . . . which brings disappointment and frustration. This son, in moving like a ‘Pharisee’, had pushed aside his true calling in which he could have had a ‘fatted calf’ feast at any time. Instead, his vision being blurred, he felt that a ‘kid’ was all that he could expect. Can we not believe what God has decreed about who He is, who we are and what He has done — plus what He has purposed to do through His sons?

(30) But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou has killed for him the fatted calf".

This ‘your son’— not ‘my brother’ — such a different testimony . . . seems to estrange one from another. Sad to say, even in this day, what we believe makes for a separation of this sort. In this elder son’s bitterness he correctly labelled where his ‘brother’ had been . . . with ‘harlots’! The scripture tells us ‘Babylon is the mother of harlots’ . . . have you ever considered how the harlot ministries will ‘devour’ the life savings of the gullible? The younger son was labelled by his ‘brother’ as ‘far out’ because of his lifestyle. He had certainly moved in liberty . . . doing just what he felt was right at the time . . . but, alas, he moved in man’s (the world’s) ways and not in the ways which his Father had shown him over the years of upbringing. Can you feel the disappointment in Father’s voice as He corrects His older son who did not know that he was in a rut?

(31) And he said unto him, "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Notice here that the father did not call his eldest, son, but CHILD . . . the Greek word for ‘son’ here is TEKNON which is child. The younger son was referred to as a ‘son’ . . . the Greek word being HUIOS . . . a mature son.

The opportunity for the eldest son to move in his calling, had not been withdrawn even though he had ignored its importance.

(32) It was right that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found".

Father’s decisions are right . . . for He knows. He too enjoys the celebration when resurrection life is seen coming forth in just one of His sons. In this parable, the wayward young brother was called ‘a son’, but it took some dealings in his life before he was able to walk in that calling or purpose. God takes us through many situations and processings, to bring us to experiencing continual union with Father in His big house.

There is a parallel picture seen with the two sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob. The younger, Jacob, departed with the ‘first-born’ blessing in an ignominious way and yet later being the one through whom the whole house of Israel was brought forth. Jacob had to go through many dealings before remembering the word over him . . . he returned to Esau, his family’s house with a good outcome.

These two sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, are a similar picture whereby the younger receives the greater blessing. Ephraim, the younger, became an important part in the lineage of the Messiah. His name means ‘double fruit’ . . . to whom much is given, much is required. The result of yielding to the Lord’s dealings will be to bring forth the manifestation of His purposes.

If you identify with the ‘son’ that changed direction from a far country, you will certainly be blessed as Father brings you into your true inheritance. If, on the other hand, you identify with the ‘son’ that continued in his old ways without changing direction, you will need to look into the vision and provision that He has given. He desires that each one of us become continually hungry for that close fellowship with Him and to be fully aware of our place in His house.