20 "So he got up and came to his father . But while he was still a long way off , his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced e e him and kissed him. 21 "And the son said to him, 'Father , I have sinned against heaven and in your sight ; I am no longer worthy to be called your son .' 22 "But the father said to his slaves , 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet ; 23 and bring the fattened calf , kill it, and let us eat and celebrate ; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again ; he was lost and has been found .' And they began to celebrate .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 15:20-24
Commentary on Luke 15:17-24
(Read Luke 15:17-24)
Having viewed the prodigal in his abject state of misery, we are next to consider his recovery from it. This begins by his coming to himself. That is a turning point in the sinner's conversion. The Lord opens his eyes, and convinces him of sin; then he views himself and every object, in a different light from what he did before. Thus the convinced sinner perceives that the meanest servant of God is happier than he is. To look unto God as a Father, and our Father, will be of great use in our repentance and return to him. The prodigal arose, nor stopped till he reached his home. Thus the repenting sinner resolutely quits the bondage of Satan and his lusts, and returns to God by prayer, notwithstanding fears and discouragements. The Lord meets him with unexpected tokens of his forgiving love. Again; the reception of the humbled sinner is like that of the prodigal. He is clothed in the robe of the Redeemer's righteousness, made partaker of the Spirit of adoption, prepared by peace of conscience and gospel grace to walk in the ways of holiness, and feasted with Divine consolations. Principles of grace and holiness are wrought in him, to do, as well as to will.