Luke 15:21,22 – 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.
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:
This is one of the most beautiful and powerful parables taught by Jesus, still incredibly relevant 2000 years later. It’s the classic story of a son who demanded his inheritance, went away from family and home and wasted his inheritance on a scandalous life. On his return in shame and repentance he received the Father’s love rather than reproof, and he also received gifts that were tokens of his place in the Father’s family. One of the gifts was a ring, a symbol of the kindness of the Father toward His son as well as a symbol of authority. The ring showed this prodigal son was still in the family and carried the Father’s authority. Here is how Matthew Henry describes this.
“The earnest of the Spirit, by whom we are sealed to the day of redemption, is the ring on the hand. After you believed you were sealed. They that are sanctified are adorned and dignified, are put in power, as Joseph was by Pharaoh’s giving him a ring: “Put a ring on his hand, to be before him a constant memorial of his father’s kindness, that he may never forget it.”
I love this, this ring on the prodigal’s hand was a reminder of God’s love that was still with him after he had squandered his inheritance. The ring was a picture of the family authority that was restored to this son. Here is how the TPT Notes describe this.
“Culturally, this ring was an emblem of authority, giving the son authority to transact business in the father’s name. This was a picture of the seal of the Holy Spirit.”
So what does this ring mean in my life today? Has the Father put a ring on my finger too? The ring is the earnest or down payment of our heavenly inheritance. The Father has given us the ring not only to carry His authority but also as a promise to us. This ring is the baptism in the Holy Spirit that is our taste of our eternal inheritance in glory.
