LESSON 7.-MAY 15 | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 4, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 18.

LESSON 7.—MAY 15.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 15:11-24, A. R. V.

(11) "AND He said, A certain man had two sons: (12) and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. (13) And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. (14) And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. (15) And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (16) And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. (17) But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: (19) I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (20) And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (21) And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. (22) But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (23) and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: (24) for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

Golden Text.—"Come, and let us return unto the Lord." Hosea 6:1.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What three parables are recorded in the fifteenth chapter of Luke? What are they designed to teach? What specially called out these parables? See Note 1. (2) What is the opening statement of the parable of the prodigal son? Verse 11. (3) What did the younger son demand of his father? How did the father respond to the demand? Verse 12. Note 2. (4) What course did the young man then pursue? How did he invest his means? Verse 13. Note 3. (5) When he had spent all, what trying conditions confronted him? Verse 14. (6) What did he do in this emergency? What occupation was allotted to him? Verse 15. Note 4. (7) What was his experience in this situation? Verse 16. (8) What was the effect of this experience? Then what was his reflection? Verse 17. Note 5. (9) As he reflected upon his folly, and upon his far-away home, what did he resolve to do? Verse 18, first clause. (10) What confession would he make? Verse 18, last clause, and 19, first clause. (11) What petition would he offer? Verse 19, last clause. (12) After his resolution was formed, what action did he take? Before reaching his father's house, what unexpected encouragement did the prodigal meet? Verse 20. Note 6. (13) What penitent confession did he make? Verse 21. (14) What order was then given to the servants concerning clothing for the needy one? Verse 22. Note 7. (15) What provision was ordered that the hungry man might be fed? Verse 23. (16) What reason did the father give for his action? Verse 24. Note 8.

NOTES.

1. "The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son [recorded in Luke 15], bring out in distinct lines God's pitying love for those who are straying from Him. Altho they have turned away from God, He does not leave them in their misery. He is full of kindness and tender pity toward all who are exposed to the temptations of the artful foe. In the parable of the prodigal son is presented the Lord's dealing with those who have once known the Father's love, but who have allowed the tempter to lead them captive at his will."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 198. The three parables mentioned here were spoken in reply to the criticism of the Pharisees and scribes that Jesus received sinners and ate with them.

2. "The youth acknowledges no obligation to his father, and expresses no gratitude; yet he claims the privilege of a child in sharing his father's goods."—Id. In like manner the ungrateful sinner claims the blessings of his Creator as a matter of right, without any recognition of obligation on his part.

3. "With money in plenty, and liberty to do as he likes, he flatters himself that the desire of his heart is reached."—Id., p. 199. Paul tells of those who turned away from God, and says: "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Rom. 1:21, 22.

4. Joined to a "citizen" of the world, and reduced to the companionship of swine! The imagination can go no farther, but how many are unwittingly in the same position! "Whatever the appearance may be, every life centered in self is squandered. Whoever attempts to live apart from God, is wasting his substance. He is squandering the precious years, squandering the powers of mind and heart and soul, and working to make himself bankrupt for eternity. The man who separates from God that he may serve himself, is the slave of mammon. The mind that God created for the companionship of angels has become degraded to the service of that which is earthly and bestial. This is the end to which self-serving tends."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 200.

5. "He came to himself."—"The deceptive power that Satan had exercised over him was broken. He saw that his suffering was the result of his own folly."—Id., p. 202. He remembers the home of plenty from which he had recklessly turned away in quest of imaginary pleasures. He has reached that really blessed point in the backslider's experience where he begins to appreciate the Father's house, and longs to be there. It is at this point that the Spirit of God can begin to give practical encouragement; hence the decision that follows.

6. "What assurance here of God's willingness to receive the repenting sinner! Have you, reader, chosen your own way? Have you wandered far from God? Have you sought to feast upon the fruits of transgression, only to find them turn to ashes upon your lips? . . . Do not listen to the enemy's suggestions to stay away from Christ until you have made yourself better; until you are good enough to come to God. If you wait until then, you will never come. . . . Arise and go to your Father. He will meet you a great way off. If you take even one step toward him in repentance, He will hasten to enfold you in His arms of infinite love."—Id., pp. 205, 206.

7. The son expressed his penitence, but apparently he got no opportunity to offer his service as a common servant, as he had designed to do; or, his recognition as a son was so prompt, and his reception so cordial, that he found no occasion for such offer. A somewhat similar lesson is taught in Zechariah 3, where the people of God are represented as "Joshua the high priest," resisted, or accused by Satan. Altho "Joshua" was clothed in "filthy garments," he was clothed with a "change of raiment," and a "fair miter" set upon his head. See, also, Isa. 64:6-8, and Phil. 3:7-11.

8. From the joy of this father and his servants, we may get a faint idea of the joy in heaven over even one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:7, 10.