THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

113‘ Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, heheard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him whatwas going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killedthe fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'‘The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father wentout and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these yearsI've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you nevergave me’ even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But whenthis son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comeshome, you kill the fattened calf for him!''My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have isyours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours wasdead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’” (vv. 11-31).In the parable of the two lost sons the old father gave his son freedom to rebel andwaited prayerfully for him to return. The father does not go into the far country in search ofhis wandering boy. The foolish son was given the right to lose himself. The father was not overlyprotective. He risked by giving his son freedom and waited. When the prodigal son “came tohimself” and returned home, his father forgave him and restored him to his love. So it is with ourheavenly Father.In The Parable of the Lost Sons the prodigal son lost at least three things:1. Fellowship with the Father2. Self-respect3. All he hadThe salvation process came in four steps:1. Self-evaluation—He came to himself—his senses: “What a fool I have been.”(v. 17)2. Decision—”I will rise and go to my father” (v. 18).3. Action—“And he arose” (v. 20).