Let us begin by reading Luke 15:11-32. We will start with Verse 12: "And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood." The father divided his possessions between his two sons, the older son and the younger, because he loved them the same and he wanted both of them to inherit all of his possessions in due time. What was the inheritance of the father? His inheritance was the everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with all of the blessings and benefits that go with it.
Verse 13 reads: "And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living." "The younger son departed from his father and he recklessly wasted all of his possession". In the book of Jeremiah, God called Israel the backsliding wife, the harlot who slept with every idol. For centuries, Israel and Judah refused to listen to the voices of the prophets, whom God raised to warn them of the coming judgement against Judah and Israel. Judgement fell on Judah first, when they were taken to Babylon as captives for 70 years. Israel was then judged, and was taken to Assyria as captives for 120 years.
The story continues in Verse 14: "But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want." In the Jewish Bible, it says: "so he began to feel the pinch." When Israel realized that serving idols, power, and riches brought them into slavery, they found themselves spiritually naked – "without a thing". When your eyes are opened and you see yourself the way God sees you – completely naked and without a thing – then God can create "famine" in order for you to come back to Him.
Turning back to the parable: "15Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything." Famine pursued Israel, or the Jewish nation, causing them to look for food anywhere – to the point where they even had to eat with the pigs. My Jewish people were hungry for the answer, and they still are, but nobody can give it to them except the creator Adonai. They are still searching for spiritual food in Atheism, Buddhism, New Ageism, Witchcraft, etc. That is what Verse 16 refers to when it says: ". . . no one gave him anything".
Verse 17 reads: "But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!’ " Here we see the beginning of the process of his spiritual awakening. He was going through an identity crisis. Suddenly, the younger son, who represents Israel, realized that he was still the son of his father, and that there was enough food in his father’s house (How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!). In other words, the servants have more than enough food, and I am starving! What a statement! Who are the father’s workers? As a body of believers that is predominantly Gentile, we have all the spiritual food we need from the living Word of God, and we are able to feast every day. The younger son was jealous that the servants had more food than he did. This is a type of "good jealously" with which we Christians must provoke the Jewish people.
"I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you," (Verse 18). In other words, he says to himself: ‘I will return’. In Hebrew, the word used for "return" is "shuvah" to the God of Israel, Isaac, and Jacob. I will repent of my sins, and maybe He will have mercy on me and treat me at least as one of His workers. I will depend on His mercy, because I know that my Father is merciful, and full of love and compassion. This is the beginning of the Jewish revival, when they turn their hearts back toward God. This is "shuvah". It will happen to the whole nation when they will look on "the one they have pierced" (Zechariah 12:10). (Verse 18).In other words, he says to himself: ‘I will return’. In Hebrew, the word used for "return" is "shuvah" to the God of Israel, Isaac, and Jacob. I will repent of my sins, and maybe He will have mercy on me and treat me at least as one of His workers. I will depend on His mercy, because I know that my Father is merciful, and full of love and compassion. This is the beginning of the Jewish revival, when they turn their hearts back toward God. This is "shuvah". It will happen to the whole nation when they will look on (Zechariah 12:10).
Verse 20 reads: "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him." God sees you at the beginning of your spiritual journey, and all the while, He is preparing a way, a path for you to walk on. His uses every circumstance and situation to serve His purpose in order to allow you to come back to Him. And at the end of the road, He is waiting for you with open arms, eager to receive you to His bosom. He is rejoicing over his son or daughter who has finally returned home. In this parable, Jesus, being Jewish and talking to his Jewish disciples, and knowing their mindset and culture, tried to share the heart of His Jewish father; to show how much He desires to reconcile his chosen people to Himself.
In this parable, Yeshua, Jesus, tries to reveal the unconditional love that the Father has for His son, to demonstrate that He is ready to forgive and to reconcile, no matter what. The son was asking for forgiveness, but the father didn’t let him finish, because he was so happy and filled with joy at the return of his son, and he then became busy arranging the feast.
"But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet" (Verse 22). The father put the robe of righteousness on his son’s shoulder, instead of the filthy rags of self-righteousness. He put a ring on his finger – the symbol of a royal heir of the throne – "Israel the Prince of God". And he put "sandals on his feet." The Lord gave me an insight into this part of the scripture: Israel, as a nation, is called to be the light of the world to the rest of the Gentiles. When Israel will be totally restored to God the Father, they will wear the shoes of the gospel of peace, and will bring the light of God’s word to the entire world. (Verse 22). The father put the robe of righteousness on his son’s shoulder, instead of the filthy rags of self-righteousness. He put a ring on his finger – the symbol of a royal heir of the throne – "Israel the Prince of God". And he putThe Lord gave me an insight into this part of the scripture: Israel, as a nation, is called to be the light of the world to the rest of the Gentiles. When Israel will be totally restored to God the Father, they will wear the shoes of the gospel of peace, and will bring the light of God’s word to the entire world.
The parable continues: "23And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ " There will be a great wedding feast of the Lamb of God in heaven when the bride of Christ, which is the Church, and the wife of God, which is Israel, will sit at the same table as one in Messiah.
"For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (Verse 24). In Romans 11:15 (NIV), we read: "For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?" "For when they were rejected, mankind was changed from God’s enemies into His friends. What will it be then, when they are accepted? It will be life from the dead." The resurrection of Israel from the dead will be such a blessing to the whole world that it will be like a healing spring of living water flowing from Israel to the nations. Everything will flourish and give life to everyone around. Even now, Israel is a blessing to the world in many ways. They are world leaders in technology, medicine, science, music, education, etc. (Verse 24). In Romans 11:15 (NIV), we read: " "For when they were rejected, mankind was changed from God’s enemies into His friends. What will it be then, when they are accepted? It will be life from the dead." The resurrection of Israel from the dead will be such a blessing to the whole world that it will be like a healing spring of living water flowing from Israel to the nations. Everything will flourish and give life to everyone around. Even now, Israel is a blessing to the world in many ways. They are world leaders in technology, medicine, science, music, education, etc.
Romans 11:12 (NIV) reads: "But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring!" "Then how much greater the blessings will be when the complete number of Jews is included!"
As we return to our parable, we read the following in Verse 25: "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing." Who is the older son? The older son is you, the Gentiles – my brothers and sisters who are always working in the field – the faithful servants of God.
Verse 28 reads: "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him." In other words, he was very upset and angry with his father, and even jealous of the way his father treated him and his other son. He didn’t understand God’s plan for the youngest son, Israel. The older brother, who represents the church, missed God’s plan for his chosen people for a period of 2,000 years. In fact, they persecuted, hated, and killed God’s chosen people, believing that they were serving God. This was a deception from the devil that was intended to destroy God’s chosen nation, to create enmity between Christians and Jews, and to stop God’s plan for the restoration of Israel and the salvation of the Jewish people. They invented "Replacement theology", replacing Israel with the church (i.e.: Israel no longer has a place in God’s redemptive plan, so the church has become the spiritual Israel, and is entitled to all of it’s blessings). However, in Romans 11:17-22, the apostle Paul warns against this teaching: "17And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." 20Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off." It is time for the older brother to repent of his neglect or jealously over Israel and its people, and start praying for the younger brother to be reconciled to God, Yeshua the Messiah
The parable of the lost son is one of the most popular parables to preach on or to teach from, and I have heard many interpretations of it. The most popular view is that it is about a lost son coming back to his father, who showers him with unconditional love and acceptance. But this time, I would like to present you with a different interpretation, from the Jewish perspective. May God enlighten your heart and bless you as we reveal the hidden secrets of our Father’s heart. (Verse 18).Back to the parable: "31And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found." Pay attention to what the Father said to him. All this time, for more than 2,000 years, salvation has been given to Gentiles because of the blindness of the Jewish people (Romans 11:11). But now is the time to favor Zion, because he was dead and now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found!
In other words, he says to himself: ‘I will return’. In Hebrew, the word used for "return" is "shuvah" to the God of Israel, Isaac, and Jacob. I will repent of my sins, and maybe He will have mercy on me and treat me at least as one of His workers. I will depend on His mercy, because I know that my Father is merciful, and full of love and compassion. This is the beginning of the Jewish revival, when they turn their hearts back toward God. This is "shuvah". It will happen to the whole nation when they will look on (Zechariah 12:10). (Verse 22). The father put the robe of righteousness on his son’s shoulder, instead of the filthy rags of self-righteousness. He put a ring on his finger – the symbol of a royal heir of the throne – "Israel the Prince of God". And he putThe Lord gave me an insight into this part of the scripture: Israel, as a nation, is called to be the light of the world to the rest of the Gentiles. When Israel will be totally restored to God the Father, they will wear the shoes of the gospel of peace, and will bring the light of God’s word to the entire world. (Verse 24). In Romans 11:15 (NIV), we read: " "For when they were rejected, mankind was changed from God’s enemies into His friends. What will it be then, when they are accepted? It will be life from the dead." The resurrection of Israel from the dead will be such a blessing to the whole world that it will be like a healing spring of living water flowing from Israel to the nations. Everything will flourish and give life to everyone around. Even now, Israel is a blessing to the world in many ways. They are world leaders in technology, medicine, science, music, education, etc.
Why do so many Christians believe that they have replaced Israel? Why do they call themselves Israel? Why do they feel a need to be the physical seed of Abraham when they are the spiritual seed of Abraham through Jesus. Why do they want to miss their destiny? Jews need Gentile believers, and Gentile believers need Jews.
There will be no One New Man without the Jew and the Gentile fulfilling their destinies. In the Spirit, there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, just as there is no difference between male and female in the Spirit (Galatians 3:28). However, a Jew has a unique physical calling, just as men and woman have different physical callings. The Jewish person, whether he knows it or not, is called by God to live in the land of Israel. Beyond living in Israel, Jewish people have a unique mandate and anointing to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles. Watch as the scriptures are finally fulfilled when the Word of the Lord is proclaimed from Israel to the nations (Isaiah 2:3).
The Gentile believer also has a unique purpose. This high calling is being accelerated in these last days. Salvation has come to the Gentiles in order to evangelize the Jews (Romans 11:11). In other words, the Gentile believer has a biblical mandate and anointing to proclaim the gospel to the Jews. We need each other. And when we come together, the merging of these two anointings will cause the dead religious church to explode with the glory of God. Each group envies what the other has: the Jew longs for signs and miracles; while the Gentile longs for the Father’s inheritance.
In the Parable Of The Lost Son, the older brother did not understand that the Father longed to be reconciled to the younger brother. Many Gentiles do not understand the One New Man. They do not realize that the Jew must be grafted into the body of the Messiah in order for the wedding supper of the Lamb to take place. The older brother cannot comprehend the truth expressed by Jesus: that He would not return until the Jewish people were restored to the Father (Matthew 23:39). He could not see that, being the seed of Abraham, everything that the Father had was already his (Like 15:31).
After 2,000 years of living out in the world, we Jewish believers have many rough edges. Gentile Christians, our older brother, have a sweetness about them that comes from generations of knowing the Messiah. As Jewish believers, we desperately need to be embraced by our older brother.
When the two covenant peoples of God, the Jews and Christians, who have fought with each other, will finally unite under one King, Jesus, there will be a spiritual explosion in the church. The devil’s worst nightmare will come true when the sleeping giant, the church, finally realizes that the underlying purpose of the outpourings of the Holy Spirit that are happening today is to equip believers with power to evangelize the Jews. When the Jewish people join with the Gentiles to form One New Man, it will trigger a major release of power to evangelize the world!
(Some quotations are from the book "The Race" by Sid Roth).
God bless you, Shalom |
