Surely then we shall not be accused of forcing an unwarranted meaning on an insignificant detail, when we see here shadowed for us the great thought that the result of divine forgiveness renews a man's character. Clothed him with different habits Yes, there is given along with forgiveness, and wrapped up in it, a new Power which makes all things new, and changes a man, The records of every Christian worker will supply illustrations of this great fact, Mary Magdalene and Zaccheus are only the first of a great multitude who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb," and who have been turned from the service of sin to the service of God, transformed by the power of God. God not only pardons, He restores. He makes of broken earthenware, vessels for his service useful and beautiful, And then in the second place, there isa ring. The prodigal was prepared to ask for the position of a slave, but the father said, "Put a ring on his hand" Now the ring is the emblem of wealth, position, It is the sign of delegated authority, Joseph in Egypt is given a ring to mark his rank as next to Pharaoh. The king receives a ring at his coronation. Bishops wear a ring, So we may understand the figure of the ring to teach that God not only after forgiveness clothes His poor penitents with garments of beauty, making them akin to Himself in character, but He gives them work to do, a position for Him, and delegated authority to work for Him.
And then there were shoes for his feet. No doubt he had come back barefooted and filthy and bleeding, and it was needful for the story that this drapery should appear, but I think that it was more than drapery, It is part of the Christian's equipment that is here suggested, There are enemies and dangers in the Christian life. Now the shoes were in old time as they are today, a very important part of the soldier's equipment. We think of that wonderful chapter in Ephesians where Paul bids his converts be shod With the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. And God will give the penitent that which will enable him to walk the roughest way in safety and to stand in the most dim cult day And there is the feast. It reminds us of His words at the end of the first and second parables in this chapter, of the rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, Is it not wonderful love, the love of God as here revealed to us, It does indeed pass man's comprehension. There is so little to commend the prodigal. He had no high motives of repentance, no thought of filial love and duty, little consciousness of wrong doing, only hunger. But he comes—that is enough. And the Father is watching and waiting. He is so quick to see the first stirring to return in the heart of the prodigal. The same welcome is waiting for us, There is none too filthy, too stained, and tattered and torn, and we are all in need of the robe he will give. He has a place of responsibility. work for each one to do; and He will give equipment and strength for the battle of life. Must the great love that gave an only begotten son to die for us, remain unanswered in our hearts?
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.