Scripture Post #507: *COMING TO YOURSELF*

Luke 15:16: "And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him."

[Disclaimer: The image here (in its original form) was from an image search-engine. The original source of this image is unbeknown to me. I own no rights of this image.]

JESUS spake a parable that we know today as, "The Prodigal Son". There are a few verses in this story that really stand out to me.

The Prodigal Son didn't return home until he came to himself. 

(Okay, that's a powerful line. I'd like to break that down a bit.)

Returning Home:

When The Prodigal Son returned home, his father called him alive. So coming home represents coming alive from being dead (separated). 

V. 24: "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

It's this way with us as well. Before we came to CHRIST we were dead (separated from GOD). But in being saved we are alive to GOD—having eternal life!

Coming To Yourself:

The verse I chose for this Scripture Post was verse 16. It states how The Prodigal Son was willing to eat pig food because of his great poverty. It also states that no man would give to him. Ouch! The following verse explains how he came to himself. 

V. 17: "And 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!"

V. 18: "I will arise and go to my father…"

Coming to himself is what accessed him life!!! Because after he came to himself he decided to return home. And in returning home he became alive! He realized that what his father had was better than what he had by himself, and desired it. We must realize that what our Heavenly FATHER has is better than what we have by ourselves, and desire it, also!

There's 1 last thing I'd like to mention. After we come to ourselves we should have great humility as The Prodigal Son did. If we're not humble (recognizing we're not worthy to be sons of GOD, but rather desiring to be servants) like this man in the story, then we truly haven't come to ourselves. 

V. 16: "And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him." 

V. 17: "And 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!"

V. 18: "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,"

V. 19: "And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants."

The great thing about coming to yourself is: you don't get what you deserve—you're graced with overwhelming love just like in this parable. We get to be sons! Read verses 20-24 below. 

Come to yourself; come home and access life! 

Full Parable:

Luke 15:11: "And he said, A certain man had two sons:"

V. 12: "And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living." 

V. 13: "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living."

V. 14: "And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want."

V. 15: "And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine."

V. 16: "And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him."

V. 17: "And 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!"

V. 18: "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,"

V. 19: "And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants."

V. 20: "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

V. 21: "And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son."

V. 22: "But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:"

V. 23: "And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:"

V. 24: "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

V. 25: "Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing."

V. 26: "And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant."

V. 27: "And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound."

V. 28: "And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him."

V. 29: "And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:"

V. 30: "But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf."

V. 31: "And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."

V. 32: "It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."

Originally Published: Sat. 2/1/14