Luke 15:17-19 says, “17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”

 

In this moment, this son remembered what life was like in childlike wonder, but instead of going back to wonder, he compared himself to servants. The spirit of fear caused the prodigal son to be lowered to a position of servanthood, entry level Christianity. Galatians 4:1-7 says, “1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” In the Jewish culture, servants were not allowed to call their masters “Abba”, since it was an Aramaic word for “Daddy”. Also, in kingdoms, children had tutors and governors that were appointed by their father to train them up into a position of authority. During this time, they functioned as servants! Yes, they were inheriting a position in the kingdom, but they were not ready to take that position. But this place of servanthood causes children of Yahweh to enter into a bondage of religion and ministry in which fulfillment comes from these duties rather than a relationship with God our Father. Don’t transition from a world bound by sin and enter into a world bound by religion. Take your place as sons and daughters and come back home to the Father, being joint-heirs with Christ!

 

The very thing that brought the prodigal son back to the Father was hunger. It was not the inheritance he wasted. It was not the nice mansion in which he lived. It was hunger! What you are you seeking to quench your hunger or thirst? Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” God will fill you when you become hungry for His presence and Word!

 

So, the son devised a plan in hoping to win the Father’s forgiveness and love. There is nothing you can do to earn His grace. That is why it is called grace! His request was to be made as a hired servant because he was not worthy to be called his son. Your worth is not diminished because what you have or haven’t done. It is based upon who your Father is. He created you, and He loves you. Nothing you can ever do will change that! But don’t wait until you waste your inheritance before returning to Him. Come home now!