The Prodigal Son. 5
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7. The resultant JOY. "And let us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry." (vv. 23, 24)
How inexpressably blessed is this! What a glorious climax! Here is the prodigal, now a son at the Father's table! A place—not among the "hired servants," but—in the Father's family is now His. Together they commune over that which tells of Christ the perfect One, slain for us. And what is the fruit of "communion"? Is it not joy, such merriment of heart of which this poor world knows nothing.
And note again the plural number. It is not only that "he," the son, was "merry," but "they began to be merry." The Father finds His delight, together with His children, feeding upon Christ the Son. It is indeed striking to contrast what is before us here in Luke 15 with another scene presented in the Old Testament Scriptures. In 1 Samuel 28 we have brought before us the apostate Saul and the Witch of Endor—a greater contrast could not be imagined! And here, too, we read of a fattened calf being killed—but how great the difference! "The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left." (1 Samuel 28:24, 25)
Yes, they "ate," but notice that nothing was said of them being "merry." No indeed. They represented that large company found among the professed people of God who take the name of Christ on their lips, and even go through the form of communing with Him—and they come to His "table." But after all, it is only a pretense, a mechanical performance. Their hearts are not in it. Their souls do not feed upon Christ.
And note, too, another striking contrast. Of Saul and his servants it is said, "They ate. That same night they got up and left!" (1 Samuel 28:25) Ah! solemn thought, unspeakably solemn. The formal professor rises from the "table," and goes away—leaves that which speaks of Christ; goes away as joyless and empty as he came; goes away into that dark "night" which shall never end.
But how entirely different is what we read of concerning the reconciled "prodigal". He, together with his father, sits down to eat of the fattened calf and "they began to be merry." And there the picture leaves them! Nothing is said about going "away," still less is there any reference to the "night." And "they began to be merry," and that merriment is only just begun. Blessed be God, it shall know no ending. Together with the Father, finding our joy in Christ—we shall be "merry" forever and ever!
And now perhaps a closing word should be said upon the "elder son." It seems strange to us that so many have experienced difficulty here. Who is represented by the "elder son"? Almost endless are the answers given. Personally, we are satisfied that the elder son represents the same class as do the ninety-nine sheep," and the nine pieces of silver. These picture the "Pharisees and scribes" who murmured against the Savior because He received and ate with sinners. (v. 2)
The one parable in three parts was designed by Christ to show how that God went after that which was lost—and what the blessed portion was, which they received from Him. Then He contrasts the lot of those who, because they deem themselves righteous, refuse to take the place of sinnersbefore Him. He meets them on the ground of their own profession, and therefore does He speak of them as "sheep" and the "elder son." But oh, what a portion is theirs!
In the first part of the parable the self-righteous formalists who despise the grace of God are represented as being left in the wilderness (see v. 4), while in the last part of the parable he is seen outside the father's house. How accurate and yet how tragic is the picture Christ here draws of the Pharisee. "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant." (vv. 25, 26) Ah! he is a stranger to the merriment of those in fellowship with God. He knows not why they should be so supremely happy, and therefore does he have to ask "what these things meant." And when explanation is made to him we are told, "he was angry, and would not go in." (v. 28)
But more, "So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends!" (vv. 28, 29) He speaks of "serving" his father—for this is all he knows. He boasts of his obedience, and then he confesses his lack of that which speaks of communion. And how he betrayed himself when he said, "Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends," not "with you"!
The closing verses of the chapter must be interpreted in the light of the whole context: "You are ever with me." Here Christ puts into the mouth of this elder son that which was the boast of the proud Pharisee—but it should be carefully noted that throughout he is carefully pictured as being on the outside, see especially verse 28. But let our final word be upon the "prodigal." By comparing carefully six clauses it will be found they are arranged in couplets, and each couplet points a striking contrast.
First, we read "There arose a mighty famine in the land" (v. 14). Next contrast what we read in verse 20, "And he arose, and came to his father."
Second, "He came to himself" (v. 17). Now contrast what is said in verse 20, he "Came to his father."
Third, "He began to be in need" (v. 14). Now contrast what we have in verses 24, 25 "And they began to be merry." And how striking is the order of these.
Now dear reader, is this intelligible to you, or have I been speaking in an unknown tongue? Have you felt the "famine" of this world? Have you been "in need"—your soul crying out for a satisfying portion? Have you "come to your senses," and discovered the "exceeding sinfulness of sin"? If so, have you come to God and taken the place of a lost sinner before Him? Have you cast yourself upon His sovereign grace and reckoned as your own, this wondrous Provision which He has made for hell-deserving sinners? If you have, then you know the blessedness of belonging to God's family. If you have not, and will come to God now just as you are, confessing your utter sinfulness and unworthiness, and casting yourself on His free grace, you too shall receive a hearty welcome, the kiss of reconciliation the robe of righteousness and a place in communion with God Himself. "Come, for all things are now ready!"
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