In the gospel of Luke, Jesus told three parables to the audience of disciples and followers. It was in response to the Pharisees and scribes’ hypocrisy and criticism. Of the three parables, the parable of the prodigal son was the most graphic. It told us not only of the redemption of someone’s lost son but also of the sacrificial love of our heavenly Father. A love that is unselfish, and full of compassion. It can also be known as Agape Love. In summary, one wayward son insisted and squandered off half of his family’s wealth on reckless and immoral living. Despite his blatant shortcomings, his ever loving and passionate father welcomed him home. He was given a grand reception that made his sibling angry with their father. That is what our merciful heavenly Father would do for the repentant sinners. Come as you are with all your weaknesses and imperfections to Him through Jesus. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us of all our unrighteousness.
In the parable of the prodigal son, there was no mention of the wayward son seeking to clean himself before his reunion with his father. Indeed, what he did was correct. The bible stated that our own efforts to make ourselves righteous before men and God are futile. In Isaiah 64: 6, we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a stained soiled garment. Naturally, we would always wash ourselves first before we put on fresh clothing. But spiritually, God is calling us to come as we are. No matter how we attempt to wash ourselves robustly to be clothed later, we can never be cleansed of our dirt of sins. So, wearing new clothing will still never be pleasing to God. There was another parable which the Lord shared in the gospel of Luke, the Pharisee and the tax collector worshipping in the synagogue. This parable dealt with the topic of acceptance by God’s standard, one is dressed with self-righteousness, while the other adorned himself with unworthiness and humility. One snobbishly came into the presence of God dressed with branded garment of self-deceit and pretension. The other, consumed by his own inadequacy and repentance sought God’s mercy and grace for forgiveness. Any new clothing that we wear is still regarded as “filthy rags” because they are sewn with the thread of self-righteousness and uncleanliness of sins. No matter what clothes we wear spiritually, as long as it is not the Robe of Righteousness given by Christ, we will be rejected by God Almighty.
The prodigal son did not attempt to wash himself before returning to his father’s house. As filthy as he was then, stained and smeared with the filth and smell of the animals he tended, he went straight home. This parable teaches us to come as we are, no matter how odious and soiled with the dung and mud of sins. Our Lord does not expect us to get cleaned first and then come to Him. It is impossible for us to clean ourselves because we are born into sins. Jesus precious blood that was shed for us will remove our “scarlet and filthy sins” as far as the east is from the west. One of our local prominent preacher once said, “Jesus is the “bath” that makes you clean!” just come with all our weaknesses and imperfections, and Jesus Christ, our Redeemer will wash us clean of all guilt and condemnation.
In this particular parable, the emphasis and focus are not only on the son but also his father. The Lord emphasized the extravagance and lavishness of the father’s love toward his returning wayward son. Here, our Lord wanted us to be awakened to His Father’s grace that is both merciful and abundantly generous. In Ephesians 1: 7 and 2: 7, Paul reiterated Christ’s claim of the riches of God’s grace twice in both verses. God saved us, is not based on our righteousness, but because of His great mercy. Not willing that we should perish eternally, he saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, just like the old hymn that I sung in church,
Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind,
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.