The Lost Sons

Many people know ‘The Prodigal Son’ story that Jesus taught (Luke 15:11-32). It is a story about a son who demands his inheritance, so he can live a reckless life, but then hits rock bottom. It is at this point that he starts to come to his senses and decides to return to his father, who welcomes him with love and forgiveness. The son that was lost is now found. It’s an amazing picture of how God is so willing and so quick to forgive those who turn to Jesus for new life.

But this story isn’t just the story of ‘The Lost Son’, it should really be called the story of ‘The Lost Sons’. It is a story about two brothers, who are lost in very different ways. This is such a helpful reminder for us that people can be without Jesus in their life, but outwardly that can look very different.

Some people are lost and far from home, whilst others are lost whilst still at home.

Some people are rebellious sinners, whilst others are respectable sinners.

Some people are lost in their disobedience, whilst others are lost in their obedience.

Have you considered the fact that a person can be a bible reading, church attending, people serving, ‘good person’, who is not a Christian?

Some people are at home, attending church, and looking respectable, but in their hearts, they do not see their sin, and they do not come to Jesus to be saved. Some people are focused on being good and obedient, thinking their goodness is good enough to get them on God’s good side. But God’s standard of good is perfection and no one is good enough to work their way to heaven.

Both brothers in the story needed to come to their senses so they could return to their father. The younger son in the story needed to come to his senses to understand that life without his father is not the good life. Do you need to come to your senses to understand that life without God is not the good life?

The older son in the story needed to come to his senses to understand that his father’s love is not something we earn, it is a gift that is given. Do you need to come to your senses to understand that God’s love is not something you earn, it is a gift that is given, freely in Jesus?

Which son do you relate to most? Is God bringing you to your senses?

‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14