“A certain man had two sons.” The Lord did not say, “What man of you having two sons?” as He had done in the former parts of this parable: “What man of you having an hundred sheep?” “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver?” He could not speak thus now, for no “man of them” would have dealt thus. Only grace deals after such a manner, and there was not a trace of it in their hearts. But the heart of this Father is full thereof to overflowing. It is a picture of the Father God – “The God of all grace” – drawn by His Son, who had come from His home to make Him known.
Self-interest would lead an owner of a hundred sheep, if he lost one, to leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which was lost until he found it. Self-interest would lead a woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lost one piece, to light a candle, and sweep the house, and search diligently till she found it. But only grace, sovereign, unmixed grace – undemanding, all-supplying grace – receives to its heart and to its home such a profligate son, and after such a manner.
The Lord showed that God sought on the same principle as they themselves, but He receives on His own unique principle, totally different to anything they acted on, and which only drew forth a murmur, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them,” from the hard, self-righteous hearts of Pharisees and scribes to whom He spake this parable; though why should God be denied the joy of receiving back a son if He chooses – Would they not do so?
And notice, it is “this parable” – not three, but one. It gives the action of three Persons – three Persons but one God – seeking and receiving, but this diverse action of diverse Persons all concentrated on one object – the SINNER.
Dear, dear friend, did you ever contemplate the interest that God takes in you, who “would have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth”? (1 Tim. 2:44Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4).)