LESSONS FROM THE PRODIGAL SON – TRUE REPENTANCE

Repentance is much more than saying sorry, and apologising for the wrong done. A truly repentant person is totally different, from what he was, while committing the offence. The remorse, the regret and the repentance for the wrong done, is clearly visible in words, in deeds, and in total transformation of the said person. It is so because the person has had a change in his heart, regarding what he had done. Therefore the change in everything that is visible to the world, reflecting the change in the heart.

Many a times, mere apology is considered repentance, with no visible change in the thinking, in the attitude, in the words and in the deeds of the person concerned. That is no repentance. It is merely exploring an escape route, because the person has no other moves to make, to save himself from the impending consequences of his act. Such an apology is a pretence at repentance. Such people are many, and should not be trusted.

Repentance and its true nature, the same as above, is emphasised by Bruce Wilkinson…
– “Repentance means you change your mind so deeply that it changes you.”

The Prodigal Son, when he came to his senses, has had *a true change of heart, and consequently, a true repentance.* Let us see what the text from the Bible says…
–  “17 “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! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 “And he arose and came to his father.” – Luke 15:17-20a

Here is a picture of the totally crushed, and truly repenting Prodigal Son…
– He came to his sense/himself.
– He realised, how, even the hired servants of his house, not just the ones owned by the family, were treated by his father.
– They not only had bread enough to eat, but also to spare.
– His father was generous, kind, caring and concerned for everyone, including hired servants.
– He chose to put his thoughts to actions – “I will arise and go to my father…”
– Not just to go ,and wait in silence, for his father to forgive. The prodigal had a very clear picture of himself, and what he had lost. Therefore, he decided to say to his father, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
– He goes further that that – which speakes of the crushed and repentive heart, of the once proud and arrogant prodigal son – “I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”
Herein is an unambiguous and transparent picture of true repentance. The prodigal is not trying, his cunning best, to sneak back home. He is not weaving words, that don’t mean anything. He is honestly and sincerely realising his mistake. Then, he is willing to beg his father, to make him one of his hired servants, because he has lost his right to be his son. This is true and honest repentance.

May we learn how to repent from the one who truly repented of his wrongs and sin. Even so the LORD help us.