The Prodigal Son | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Aug 26, 1875

The Prodigal Son.

THE most beautiful illustration of penitence on record is that contained in the parable of the prodigal son. In this brief narrative our Lord has included every trait and circumstance which can mark the history of fallen man, when turning from his wayward course and once more professing his allegiance to God. The departure from home, the abandonment to the sins of an unholy world, the suffering which necessarily ensues, the deep penitence, the return to the father, and the restoration to the privileges of a son, are the successive scenes which make up this perfect picture.

There is one little circumstance, however, in this narrative, which we believe is often passed by unnoticed, but which forms one of the finer shadings of the portrait, and is as true to the life as any of the more prominent features. In his moments of distress and humiliation the prodigal son thus declares his resolution: "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called your son; but make me as one of thy hired servants." But when his father meets him "a great way off," and, in his joy at his return, hangs upon his neck with every mark of affection, he says all that he intended, except the request, "make me one of thy hired servants." Is this omission accidental? We think not; but rather believe that it embodies a deep-spirited truth. It is exactly in accordance with the change of feeling through which the repenting sinner passes when he believes that he has received grace and forgiveness.

In the hour of his darkness and depression, when first he realizes that he is an exile in a foreign land, he dare not hope for anything but pardon. He asks only that his Lord should stretch forth the golden scepter, that he may touch it and be assured of safety. If he may only struggle through the straight gate, he will be content with the lowest place in the kingdom of heaven. He dare not appropriate to himself the abounding promises of Scripture in all their fullness. The privileges of a son cannot be for him. He asks but to be "a hired servant" in his master's household.

But when he has escaped from the house of bondage and enrolled himself among the true Israel, when before him are the vineyards and olive-yards which are promised as his inheritance, he learns to cast aside every fear, and, in the fullness of faith, to appropriate to himself all that the mercy of God holds out as the rewards of his children. He who wishes only to be "a doorkeeper in the house of his God," when once he has entered the sacred portals, is not contented thus to stand afar off, but must be ever pressing nearer and nearer to the mercy-seat. He realizes the rich provisions which the Father has made for his support and comfort, and dismissing all incertitude, with an ever-expanding faith, he is willing to receive them. His exulting language is: "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died; yea, rather, that is risen again." In the race for heavenly prizes he would struggle to be among the foremost. If crowns are offered, he would contend for the brightest. He feels that he is no longer an outcast and prodigal, but a member of that household—not to be "a hired servant," but a son accepted and beloved.—Sel.