Luk 15:11-13 | KingComments | STEP | After a hundred sheep, of which one goes astray, and ten silver coins, of which a woman loses one, now we see two sons, of whom one leaves his father. In this history we see in the younger son the depths in which the sinner has ended up and the height to which he is brought when he repents. The older son represents the spirit of the Pharisees and the scribes. In these two sons we have the two extreme cases of being lost which therefore include all other cases. In the younger son we see the tax collectors and sinners, in the older son the Pharisees and the scribes. Although this parable is applicable to all people, the Lord speaks primarily of Israelites. They are in a special relationship with God. They are called “the sons of the LORD your God” ( ). In the application, this especially concerns all those who occupy a position of privilege, such as children of believing parents. In the two sons we see the two ways that children who have been raised in a privileged position can go.

‏ Luke 15:11-13

Two Sons

After a hundred sheep, of which one goes astray, and ten silver coins, of which a woman loses one, now we see two sons, of whom one leaves his father. In this history we see in the younger son the depths in which the sinner has ended up and the height to which he is brought when he repents. The older son represents the spirit of the Pharisees and the scribes. In these two sons we have the two extreme cases of being lost which therefore include all other cases. In the younger son we see the tax collectors and sinners, in the older son the Pharisees and the scribes.

Although this parable is applicable to all people, the Lord speaks primarily of Israelites. They are in a special relationship with God. They are called “the sons of the LORD your God” (Deu 14:1). In the application, this especially concerns all those who occupy a position of privilege, such as children of believing parents. In the two sons we see the two ways that children who have been raised in a privileged position can go.

The Younger Son Leaves His Father

The younger son is the picture of the sinner who claims his share of life to live it the way he wants. By asking his share of the estate from his father while the father is still living, the younger son essentially declares his father dead. The father does not try to change his son’s mind, but gives each of his two sons their share.

Thus God has given every human being the responsibility to do with his life what he wants. Then it will become clear how someone wants to live his life. There is no clearer way to deny God than to give preference to one’s own will over that of God. This own will makes it clear that someone wants to live apart from God. It reveals the desire to follow one’s own way at a great distance from God. This is without doubt the root of all sins. Sin against men will surely follow, but sin against God is the primary cause.

Man is put to the test. He is responsible, but in fact he is not prevented from doing his own will. God maintains control only to carry out His own gracious plans. Yet it seems as if God allows man to do what he wants. Only then will it become clear what sin means, what the heart seeks, what man with all his pretentions is.

The younger son is as guilty when he asks the share of his father’s estate as when he sits with the swine. He has already said good-bye to his father in his heart before he actually leaves. Then we see in him, that at the moment man leaves God, he sells himself to satan. Not only do we get a description of a sinful way of life, but we also see the bitter end. Giving in to sin brings misery and distress. A void is created that nothing and nobody can fill. The selfish waste of all his wealth only makes him feel this emptiness all the more.

When in extreme despair he goes to one of the citizens of that country to ask for help, we see the degeneration of the sinner. There is no love, but selfishness. The citizen does not treat him as a fellow citizen, but as a slave. There is no slavery as deep and humiliating as being a slave to our own lusts. He is treated accordingly. How must it have sounded in the ears of a Jew that this younger son was sent to the field to feed the swine? He sinks to the low point of want and misery. Yet nobody gives him anything.

The lack does not yet drive him back, but leads him to seek resources in the country of satan, in what that country can give. How many souls feel the famine in which they have brought themselves, the emptiness of all that surrounds them, without any desire for God or holiness. There is a desire in them to degrading things in sin. Satan, however, gives nothing, but takes everything. Only God is the Giver. He has proven this in the greatest Gift, which is the gift of His own Son.