Embracing Home: The Prodigal Son's Journey

 

Summary

The theme of "Home for Christmas" resonates deeply with the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15, which we have been exploring over the past few weeks. This narrative is not just about the sons but primarily about the father, who represents God and His boundless love for His children. The father’s reaction to his sons—one who strayed and returned, and the other who stayed but harbored resentment—illustrates the depth of God's love and forgiveness.

This year, my family and I are experiencing a different kind of Christmas, staying home instead of traveling. This change has prompted reflection on what it truly means to be "home." The parable of the prodigal son is a powerful reminder of the joy and celebration that occurs when the lost are found, a theme echoed in the stories of the lost sheep and the lost coin earlier in Luke 15. Each story highlights the relentless pursuit and joy of God when what is lost is recovered.

Rembrandt’s painting, "The Return of the Prodigal Son," beautifully captures this theme, depicting the father’s love and forgiveness. The painting, much like the parable, emphasizes the father’s central role and his unconditional love, which is a reflection of God’s love for us. Rembrandt, who experienced both abundance and loss in his life, understood the need for grace and forgiveness, which is vividly portrayed in his art.

As we reflect on this story, we are invited to see ourselves in both sons. Whether we have wandered away or harbored resentment, the father’s love remains constant. The father’s eagerness to welcome his son back, without judgment or conditions, is a testament to God’s grace. This Christmas, may we find comfort in the knowledge that God is always waiting for us to come home, ready to celebrate our return.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Father's Unconditional Love: The father in the parable represents God’s unconditional love, welcoming the lost son without judgment or conditions. This love is available to all, regardless of past mistakes or current circumstances. [08:30]

2. The Joy of Reconciliation: The celebration that follows the return of the lost son highlights the joy that God experiences when we return to Him. This joy is a central theme in the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, emphasizing the value of each individual to God. [15:47]

3. The Challenge of Resentment: The older son’s resentment serves as a reminder of the dangers of self-righteousness and the importance of embracing God’s grace for others. It challenges us to celebrate the return of the lost rather than harbor bitterness. [07:12]

4. The Art of Forgiveness: Rembrandt’s painting captures the essence of the parable, illustrating the father’s love and forgiveness. This art serves as a visual reminder of the grace and mercy that God extends to us. [10:41]

5. The Invitation to Come Home: This Christmas, we are invited to experience the love, grace, and forgiveness of the Father. Whether we are the lost son returning or the older son learning to forgive, God’s arms are open wide, ready to welcome us home. [19:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:47] - A Different Kind of Christmas
- [05:35] - The Prodigal Son's Story
- [07:12] - The Father's Response
- [08:30] - God's Love for His Creation
- [10:41] - Rembrandt's Artistic Interpretation
- [13:14] - Rembrandt's Life and Understanding
- [14:19] - The Father's Longing
- [15:03] - The Celebration of Return
- [15:47] - Parables of Lost and Found
- [16:34] - God’s Relentless Pursuit
- [18:00] - Invitation to Experience God's Love
- [19:34] - Waiting for the Lost to Return
- [20:23] - Overcoming Resentment
- [21:37] - Communion and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Home for Christmas

Bible Reading:
- Luke 15:11-32

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the father in the parable of the prodigal son react when he sees his son returning from a distance? What actions does he take? [15:03]

2. What is the older son's reaction to the celebration of his brother's return, and how does the father address his concerns? [07:12]

3. In the sermon, how is Rembrandt’s painting "The Return of the Prodigal Son" used to illustrate the themes of the parable? [10:41]

4. What are the three parables mentioned in Luke 15, and what common theme do they share? [15:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the father's reaction to the returning son reveal about God's character and His love for His children? [08:30]

2. How does the older son's resentment reflect the challenges of self-righteousness and the difficulty of accepting grace for others? [07:12]

3. In what ways does Rembrandt’s life story, as shared in the sermon, parallel the themes of grace and forgiveness found in the parable? [13:14]

4. How do the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son collectively emphasize the value God places on each individual? [16:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you experience His welcoming love upon your return? [19:34]

2. Are there areas in your life where you might be harboring resentment like the older son? How can you work towards embracing God’s grace for others? [20:23]

3. How can the story of the prodigal son inspire you to extend forgiveness and love to someone who has wronged you? [15:03]

4. Consider the theme of "home" in your own life. What does it mean for you to be spiritually "home" with God this Christmas? [02:47]

5. How can you actively seek reconciliation with someone you have been estranged from, mirroring the father’s eagerness to welcome his son back? [14:19]

6. In what ways can you celebrate the return of someone who has been lost, whether spiritually or relationally, in your community or family? [15:47]

7. How can you use art, like Rembrandt’s painting, or other creative expressions to deepen your understanding of biblical themes and God's love? [10:41]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: The Father's Unwavering Embrace
The parable of the prodigal son is a profound illustration of God's unconditional love, as represented by the father who welcomes his lost son back without judgment or conditions. This love is not contingent on our past mistakes or current circumstances but is a constant, unwavering embrace that invites us to return home. The father’s eagerness to forgive and celebrate his son’s return is a testament to the boundless grace that God extends to each of us. In our own lives, we are reminded that no matter how far we stray, God’s love remains steadfast, ready to welcome us back with open arms. [08:30]

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV): "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you feel distant from God? How can you take a step towards experiencing His unwavering embrace today?


Day 2: The Joy of Being Found
The celebration that follows the return of the prodigal son highlights the immense joy that God experiences when we return to Him. This joy is a central theme in the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, emphasizing the value of each individual to God. The narrative invites us to understand that our return to God is not met with reluctance but with a joyous celebration. It is a reminder that we are cherished and that our presence brings delight to God. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to embrace the joy of being found and to celebrate our relationship with God. [15:47]

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Reflection: How can you celebrate your relationship with God today? What small act of gratitude can you offer to acknowledge His joy in your return?


Day 3: Overcoming Resentment
The older son’s resentment in the parable serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of self-righteousness and the importance of embracing God’s grace for others. It challenges us to celebrate the return of the lost rather than harbor bitterness. This narrative invites us to examine our own hearts and to let go of any resentment that may hinder our ability to fully experience God’s grace. By embracing forgiveness and understanding, we can align ourselves with God’s heart and celebrate the redemption of others. [07:12]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or a resentment you need to release? How can you begin to let go and embrace God’s grace for others today?


Day 4: The Art of Forgiveness
Rembrandt’s painting, "The Return of the Prodigal Son," captures the essence of the parable, illustrating the father’s love and forgiveness. This art serves as a visual reminder of the grace and mercy that God extends to us. The painting, much like the parable, emphasizes the father’s central role and his unconditional love, which is a reflection of God’s love for us. As we reflect on this, we are invited to see ourselves in both sons and to recognize the transformative power of forgiveness in our own lives. [10:41]

Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Reflection: How can you embody the art of forgiveness in your daily interactions? What steps can you take to extend grace and mercy to those around you?


Day 5: The Invitation to Come Home
This Christmas, we are invited to experience the love, grace, and forgiveness of the Father. Whether we are the lost son returning or the older son learning to forgive, God’s arms are open wide, ready to welcome us home. This invitation is a reminder that we are never too far gone to return to God’s loving embrace. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to accept this invitation and to find comfort in the knowledge that God is always waiting for us to come home. [19:34]

Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV): "The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."

Reflection: What does "coming home" to God look like for you this Christmas? How can you accept His invitation and experience His love and grace more fully in your life today?

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Quotes

"One of the things that we try to do is get together and experience what it means to be home for Christmas. For our family, this year is going to be way different. So for like 30 years, Dawn and I celebrated 30. 30 years of marriage this year, so yes, we are old. Thank you." [00:02:07] (21 seconds)


"The beautiful part of this story, though, is this. It paints a picture about how God feels about his children. It paints a picture of how God feels about his creation, about all people, all men, all women, children, all of us, all of his creation. That means you. It means the person sitting next to you. It means the person in front of you and behind you." [00:09:05] (26 seconds)


"You can see in his expression, love and forgiveness, mercy and grace. You can see it in the way he is standing with his arms draped over his son, his open hands resting on the back of him. His lost son. Rembrandt does his best to tell this story through art. And Jesus does it. He tells the story of God's love and mercy and forgiveness through the parable of the lost son." [00:11:53] (33 seconds)


"Rembrandt understood what it meant to go from having everything to having nothing. And he understood what it meant to need the love, the grace, the mercy, the forgiveness, the acceptance of his father. We talked about in previous weeks how we can identify with both the sons in the story. Maybe there's been a point in time in your life when you wandered off and you did some things you shouldn't have done and you needed the father's love to welcome you back." [00:13:14] (25 seconds)


"You see, when the son leaves and takes his inheritance, the Bible tells us that while he's still coming, while he's coming home from afar off, his father sees him and runs to him. Well, how does he know he's coming, folks? You think the kid sent an email ahead of time? A text, a snap, right? No, the reason the father sees him coming is because he's looking for him. He's looking for him probably every day." [00:14:05] (27 seconds)


"The father in this story, even though he was rejected, even though he was discarded, his son is missing, he's gone, he's lost. And where do we find the father? Looking for his son. And when he sees him coming from afar off, he doesn't write a big speech about how he told him so. Give him the big lecture and all the rules that have to apply now that you're back." [00:15:03] (23 seconds)


"This is how the father treats his lost son when he returns. Kills the fatted calf and throws a big old party. See, I think this is perhaps the most important aspect of this entire story. And that is the celebration that the father throws when his lost son is found. Because earlier in this chapter, if you're familiar with Luke 15, there are three stories in this chapter." [00:15:34] (22 seconds)


"And in the first story of the sheep, we find a shepherd who goes out when he's missing one of his hundred sheep. The other 99, he leaves them. And he goes in search of the one, and when he finds it, you know what the story tells us? That he throws a party, he celebrates, he tells all of his friends, come and celebrate with me because I have found my lost sheep." [00:15:56] (19 seconds)


"And what I want you to understand today is this, that in this story, the father is God. Jesus is talking about God when he tells the story. In the story of the shepherd, God is the shepherd and we are the sheep. In the story of the lost coin, God is the woman and we are the coin. And God searches and searches and searches and waits and waits and waits, longing for us to come home and to be found." [00:17:06] (27 seconds)


"Whatever you need today, wherever you sit and whatever your need is, my hope and our prayer for you is that you will in some way experience the love, the grace, the mercy, the forgiveness, and the acceptance of the Father. And that together, one day, we will be able to rejoice and celebrate with you when what has lost, that's been lost, will be found." [00:21:13] (24 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?