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The Robe, the Ring and the Sandals

The Robe, the Ring and the Sandals

Words of Faith 10-15-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 15

     [20] So he got up and went to his father.

    "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

    [21] "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

    [22] "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

 

         The welcome of the Father is of special significance in the story of the lost son.  The first thing that the father did was to run to the returning son.  This one act traded the humiliation of the son for that of the father.  While the whole town was laughing at the image of a wealthy man running through the village they were turned away from the son and did not permanently shun him.  Then, in compassion, the father kissed the son and then gave him a robe, a ring and some sandals.

         The robe was a sign of Honor.  The best robe in the house would belong to the father himself. It was a covering that said to all in the town, this son is protected by the father.  The son had once rejected the covering of the father but now it was placed over his shoulders.  No one would cast dispersion upon the son because he was covered with the robe of the father.  No one could bring accusation against the son because he wore the robe of the father.

          The ring was a sign of Authority.  A family signet ring was a symbol of the authority of the father.  The ring stood for the wealth and authority of the father.  The ring was used to seal communications and contracts with the authority of the father.  The ring was the equivalent of a black Amex card around town.  Anything that the son asked for in the name of the father would be provided because of the ring. 

          Shoes were a sign of freedom.  Slaves did not normally wear sandals.  The boy had lost or sold his sandals somewhere on the journey he had taken through the world.  The father made sure that everyone quickly understood that this son was free, not a slave.  He did not have to earn his way back into the household as a slave.

          These three symbols are significant because they obviously speak beyond the reinstatement of the son to the family.  The story speaks of the reinstatement of the believer to the family of God. 

          When we are saved, we come to the Father in repentance.  Our restoration to the Father is a salvation by grace; it is not earned or deserved (Eph. 2:8-9).  The son did not have to earn the righteousness of the robe, the authority of the family name or the freedom of the sandals.

         Have you received the gift of salvation offered by the Father?  Have you received His offer for restoration and reconciliation?  He has humiliated Himself so as to take the penalty of your sin upon Himself.  He waits and watches for your return to Him.  He is prepared to cast His robe of righteousness over your shoulders.  He is ready to put the ring of the authority of His Name upon your hand.  He will set you free from the law of sin and death.

 

         Father, I thank You for all that You have done for me in Jesus!  I rejoice in Your grace and mercy toward me.  I give thanks that my righteousness is not in my works but in Yours.  I am grateful for the authority of Your Name.  I rejoice in the freedom You have provided.  In Jesus' name.