LOVE OF THE FATHER #2AM
You have a father in heaven.
No matter how big and strong you are, there’s many times in your life when you need the resources of one who loves you totally, continuously and in spite of your mistakes. Last week we shared the story of the prodigal son. In today’s message I want to show you what the Father gave the son on his return.
Luke 15:22
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. (NLT)
The robe
Picture the son returning home. He is ashamed, filthy and smelly. He has old and dirty clothes. After the Father embraces him he calls for the best or finest robe to be placed upon him. Imagine what this says to the son! What belongs to the Father is freely given to the son. This robe covers over the old and smelly clothes. This robe speaks of what is the best and finest of what the father has; the richness of his provision. When we want to know what meaning is carried in a term such as this we need only look at what God says about the robe in other places in the scripture. For example the righteousness of Christ which is often compared to a robe, or garment, Isaiah 61:10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.(NLT) and Rev 19:8 She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white—for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people).(AMP)
The robe clothes over whatever clothing lies under it; whatever dirt or smell may lie beneath, and having then an outward appearance of cleanliness, wealth and position as befitting the Father. In the same manner the robe of righteousness covers over all our past and God looks upon us as His son or daughter who belong to Him and live within His family. All He sees when He looks at us is this robe of righteousness and our past is completely covered and is no longer viewed by our heavenly Father. This is the love of the Father.
Application: Does your past haunt you? Does the past speak to you about your unworthiness? Religion tells us we need to earn God’s love. This only brings bondage. Throw off your past. You are redeemed and set free by God’s love. You past has been forgotten and you are a new creation in God’s sight.
Example: Paul started his ministry life by killing Christians. If anyone has a past hat they regretted it was Paul. He counted himself as the “Chiefest of sinners” yet Paul found complete restoration in Christ seeing himself as a new creation in Christ.
The ring
This prodigal lad only wanted to be placed in the position of a slave, but his father said, ‘Put a ring on his finger.’ The ring is an emblem of wealth, position, honour. It is a sign of delegated authority and of representative character; as when Joseph was exalted to be the second man in Egypt, and Pharaoh’s signet ring was plucked off and placed upon his finger. When the son received this ring, no doubt he felt it was undeserved. He would have preferred a probation period where he could prove himself and show his father that he was truly sorry and a changed man – but that’s religion! The father welcomes back the son and immediately gives him the same equal authority he had before as a son of the father, a man of authority, one who represented all that the father was. The immediacy of this gift shows that the restoration was a matter of relationship not works.
Application: Maybe others can point the finger and say you don’t represent the Father after all you’ve done, but let the Father determine that. He gave you the ring of authority. You have His authority over all the power of the enemy. It’s not determined by you own achievements but by the Father’s conferral of his own authority upon you.
Example: When Pharaoh placed his ring on Joseph’s finger, Joseph became prime minister of Egypt. No one questioned his past coming from gaol. He carried Pharaoh’s power and authority and was unquestionably standing in his place.
The Sandals
The servants walked barefoot in their service and this prodigal son came home barefoot, not only because he intended to become as one of my father’s hired servants, but also he had suffered the loss of all his money and had nothing to eat and certainly nothing of finery to wear. In all the metaphors of footwear, we can see the meaning of our walk with God and our ongoing preparation to walk out the life before us, an equipping for the journey of life. But this gift of sandals is primarily another picture of a return to sonship and not servanthood. The father provides for the Son the sandals that mark the apparel of a son. This provision the Father gives freely and generously is the provision our loving heavenly Father has provided for us. Provision that removes us from poverty, and provision that befits the son of a wealthy Father.
Application: Now you have God’s provision. All that he has is yours. He will provide for you as befitting a son, not a servant. It’s now time to believe for God’s abundant provision in your life.
Example: When Jesus finished using the disciple’s boat to preach a message from, He said now push out and let down your nets for a catch. It seemed like a crazy idea as they had tried to fish all night and caught nothing. However on obeying his word they caught a massive haul and their boats were sinking under the weight of their catch. What a great provision.
The Fatted Calf
The fatted calf is the centre of celebration. It’s the centre point of feasting that shows the pinnacle of joy, celebration and love. When you have received the best news you could ever receive, you call all your family together and you feast. The usual word for “kill” in the NT is the Greek word apokteino. However, the word used for “kill” used of killing the fatted calf is thuo. This word means “to sacrifice”. This word was used of sacrificing the Passover lamb. The fatted calf is referred to not a fatted calf, there was just one, in the same way Jesus was the Father’s only sacrifice for sin. The robe, ring and sandals were paid for by the sacrifice of the fatted calf. Sin wasn’t forgotten or ignored, it was paid for by the offering of a sacrifice pleasing and acceptable to God. And who paid for it? The Father! This is the love of the father.
Application: Celebrate your new life with God. Rejoice that your name is written down the book of life. Where better to celebrate but in church. Recognise all that has been given to you and live a new life of joy and thankfulness.
Example: The disciples rejoiced that people were healed when they prayed for them and that devils were cast out. Jesus encouraged them to rejoice in that but even more to rejoice that their names were written down in the book of life.
Now imagine a scene where a brother or sister has sinned against you and hurt you deeply. Later they come to you and ask forgiveness for what they have done. What’s your reaction? Most likely you receive them with joy, if you’re a mature Christian! You accept them and you rejoice in the restored relationship. But do you go the extra mile and kill the fatted calf? Do you spend money to celebrate and give gifts to the brother or sister who once offended you? Now think about this love of the Father. How generous and how complete is His gift of restoration and acceptance?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Have you felt the Father’s embrace?
2. What thoughts go through your mind that stop you from receiving or enjoying God’s love and acceptance?
3. Can you imagine yourself clothed with a robe God gave you? How do you feel?
4. Think about having his authority as conveyed by the ring. What will you do now?
5. How can you enjoy and celebrate your salvation at this feasting time with the fatted calf?
craigmanderson 
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