The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 2 — Section 43

was the position of a eerve.nt to be filled in forth." Everything is dono by the father the home where onoe he hBd been a son, for to 11seure the wanderer of full ond entire tlmt wRB all he hoped t.o gain even from his forgiveness. Not only is a welcome given to father's pitying love. the tired, ragged son, but he is invested ot Yer. 20.-And he arose, and oame to his once, with all speed, with the insignia of hie father. And so he oame safe home; sad, old rank as one of the housa. But it is suffering, ragged, destitate, but still safe. observable not a word is spoken of reply to But, in spite of this, the parable gives eoant the confession; in grave and Bolemn eilonce encouragement indeed to sin, poor hope the story of the guilty past is received. indeed to wanderers from the right way, Nothing can excuse it. He forgives, but like the hero of our story ; for we feel that, forgives in silence. though he escaped, yet many were left Vere. 23, 24.-And bring hither the fatted behind in that sad country. We dimly oalf. There wwi 11. custom in the large see many other figures in the picture. The Palestinian farms that always a calf should employer of the prodigal was a citizen, but be fatleuing ready for festal occasions. only one of many citizens. The prodigal And let us eat. . . . And they began to be himself was a servant-one, though, of a merry. Who are intended by these plurals, great crowd of others ; and of all these tJ.S and they f We must not forget that the unhappy dwellers in that lan.i of sin, we parable-story under the mortal imagery is only read of one coming out. Not an en- telling of heavenly os well as of earthly couraging picture at best to any soul pur- things, The sharers in their joy over the posing deliberately to adventure into that lost, the servants of the prodigal's father on country, with the idea of enjoying the plea- earth, are doubtless the angels of whom we sant licence of sin for a season and then hear (vers. 7, 10), in the two former parables coming home again. Such a home-coming of the lost sheep and of the lost drachma, is, of course, possible-the beautiful story of as rejoicing over the recovery of a lost soul. Jesus tells us this; but, alas I how many stay Ver. 25.-Now his elder son was in the behind I how few come out thence I But field. The broad universe.I interest of the when he was yet a great way o:ff, his father parable here ceases, Whereas the story of saw him, and had oompassion, and ran, and the sin and the puuisl1ment, the repentance fell on his neak, and kissed him. But and the restoration, of the prodigal belongs although many who wander never escape to the Church of the wide world, and has from that sad couatry, it is not because they its special message of warning and comfort would be unwelcomed should they choose for thousands and thousands of world- t,o return. The whole imagery of this pa.rt workers in every age, this division of the of the parable tells us how glBdly the story, which tells of the sour discontent of the eternal Father welcomes the sorrowful prodigo.l'e elder brother, was spoken espe- penitent. The father does not wait for the cially to the Pharisees and rulers of the poor wanderer, but, as though he had been Jews, who were bitterly incensed with Jesus watching for him, sights him afar off, and being the Friend of publicans and sinners. at once takes compassion, and even hastens They could not bear the thought of sharing to meet him, and all is forgiven. the joys of the world to come with men Ver. 21.-Father, I have Binned against whom they had despised as hopeless sinners heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more here. This second chapter of the great worthy to be called thy son. Many, though parable has its practical lessons for every- not all, of the older authorities Bdd here day common life; but its chief interest lay (apparently taking them from ver. 19) the in the striking picture whioh it drew of that words, "make me as one of thy hired (ser- powerful class to whom the teaching of vants)." The selfsame words of the Jesus, in its broad and massive character, original resolution are repeated. They had was utterly repulsive. Now, while the been stamped deep into the sad heart which events just related were taking place, and so intensely desired a return to the old the lost younger son was being received quiet, pure home-life; but now in bis father's again into his father'H heart and home, the presence be feels all is Corgi ven and for- elder, a hard and selfish man, stem, and yet gotten, therefore he no longer asks to be careful of his duties as far as his narrow lJlade as one of the servants. He feels that mind grasped them, was in the field at his great love will be satisfied with nothing less work. The rejoicing in the house over the than restoring him, the erring one, to all the prodigal'& return evidently took him by glories and happiness of the old life. surprise. If he ever thought of that poor Ver. 22.-But the father said to his wandering brother of hie at all, he pictured aervante, Bring forth the beat robe, and put him to himself as a hopelessly lost and it on him ; and put a ring on his hand, and ruined soul. The Pharisees and rulers llhoes on hid feet. The older authorities could not fail at once to catch the drift of Mid "quickly" after the worde "bring the Master's parable. They too, when the 011. xv. 1-32.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 45