Perception

 

Luke 15 records for us a particular parable that we know as “The Prodigal Son.”  We somewhere have heard of it, hopefully read it. Perhaps even some have read it multiple of times.

What sticks out to me is there is an inability of the younger son to really believe. To believe, that the way that he left and too, the condition in which he returned in to be worthy of his previous place and position.

He is dirty, he has nothing to show save the ragged, thread bare, and smelly clothes on his back. His shoes have long worn out and on blistered and sore feet he has come home. Yet, his Father does what he didn’t expect his Father to do at his return. We know the story, his Father loves him and welcomes him as a son, rather than the slave he hoped to be...

In the prodigal’s mind, he has become because of his sin, unworthy to be a son any longer... This view is an error not just of himself but more so in his perception of his Father…

What the prodigal son knows…

·        He recognizes his sin...

·        He recognizes his rebellion…

·        He knows his failure…

·        The son understands that he has resisted his Father’s love…

·        The son knows that he has chosen the wild ways of living over his Father’s house and all HIS Father stood for.

·        He also knows he has forsook the farm, and his heritage.

Where else can the prodigal’s perception take him to? The perception of the prodigal is he has arrived at the viewpoint; that he is no longer worthy to be called a son…

The contrast of perception between the younger son, the prodigal and that of his elder brother is also present within the parable… It is quite easy to see that the elder son, is angry, upset, and jealous of the reception and the gifts given to his returning younger brother. The elder brother knows his brother has wasted his inheritance. We see his answer and his attitude at his Father for his welcome of his younger brother. He does on one instance share his younger brother’s perspective. No way should his younger brother be allowed back on the farm, much less his Father to return his younger brother to his place. And even more audacious, throw a party for his younger brother who has embarrassed his Father and despised the farm. Yet, the perspective of the elder brother is also seen.

Luke 15:29 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.

30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'    

They each share this one perception. They both see themselves as slaves… They also have this mistake in common. They don’t know their Father. They are out of touch with their Father’s love and compassion. They don’t know the perspective of their Father. They know not what it’s like to be a father.

It is with that stated, the error in their perspective of who their Father is, and that in turn means they share in error of who they are.

Neither son, grasped the understanding of who their Father was…

I believe if we could ever recognize the way that God should be recognized. The way that God wants to be recognized and too, if we could ever recognize who we are to HIM. There would be victories and there would be blessings that we would have if we could have a right perspective of our Father.

There is a perspective that if we loved the Father and we loved the farm that there is a party anytime awaiting us. How is it that the farm has become a place of rules and regulations? How is it that the farm has become a prison rather than what it really what GOD meant it to be?

Living for God is the best life. How can the farm be a place of slavery to the point that one runs away, and the other stays with the farm but never shares in what the farm has? The farm is that of the kingdom of GOD, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. This can only come in a right perspective of our Father, and of HIS farm.

Today, much of the religious world preaches about Christ and his love promoting God’s grace with sin… They see no need of distinguishing marks between the world and the church… There has never been such a thing as GOD’S GRACE with SIN… The younger brother, to live his way, even he knew he had to live it outside his Father’s house.

And on the other side of the coin what the religious world promotes… Is the attitude and spirit of the elder brother “I’m just a slave…” He has become a son that never recognizes the blessings, the benefits of being a son in their father’s house…

Neither knew who the father was. If they could only see with the perception of the Father…

·        You are my sons and what is mine is yours.

·        You don’t have to leave to get what you think your missing or you don’t have to leave thinking that the farm has no joy, or no love.

There is something awesome to being HIS child and to know that the Father says, you are mine and what is mine is yours, no man can pluck you from my hand.

·        Younger brother, you don’t have to leave to go and get what you think your missing.

·        Elder brother, you don’t have to sit on the back porch stewing over what is going on in the house for your brother… You are just like him, you are also a son and you have access to everything that he has access to…

Get off the porch and enjoy who you are; you’re HIS son…

“Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent of how you take it…”

Living for GOD, loving HIM, and loving HIS kingdom. What perspective do you have of the Father? What to is your perspective as HIS child?

Come home prodigal. The Father is waiting and so is the farm. Let’s throw a party.