“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.” Luke 15:20 (NIV)
The story begins with a young son who asks for his share of the family inheritance—a request that was unheard of in New Testament times. This request amounts to a “you
are taking too long to die so give me my inheritance now.” The son leaves and descends into self-inflicted poverty. Alone and starving the son remembers home and decides
to take a chance and return.
Jesus’ listeners in the first century would have assumed the ending to the story. The father would have the son killed, banished, or if merciful, treated as a hired servant
with no claim to a son’s status.
“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’” Luke 15:18-19 (NIV)
But the father has other ideas. He only cares that he has his son back. Jesus also introduces a third character in the story–the older brother who is resentful against what
he sees as indulgence and favoritism.
We can be the prodigal
The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 has something for each one of us. We have all been or are prodigals. We’ve wandered far from home, far from our Father and far
from our true purpose. The here and now can get the better of us and we recklessly chased the pleasures of this world. But when the emptiness sinks in, we’ve found
ourselves alone and defeated on a dead end road. Without options, we conquer our pride and prepare our hearts to go back to our Father’s house.
We can be the older son
Some of us are the older brother. The one who stayed with the Father and worked hard, kept the rules while the younger brother squandered everything. We are the rule-
followers, the ones with a sense of obligation and duty, the responsible ones who get the job done. But when the partier younger brother comes back home to a warm
welcome and reception from our Father, we struggle to rejoice. We become resentful and bitter toward our brother, and our Father.
Shouldn’t our younger brother be punished for his selfishness? Why does he get special treatment after he walked away?
We can know our Father’s rules but not understand His heart
There are times we are more like the prodigal and other times our attitude is more like the older brother, but the reality is we are all called to be like the Father.
This parable isn’t just a story about a son who wanted to chase the world or a brother with the heart of a Pharisee. It is the parable of the compassionate Father. He loved
His sons and showed them forgiveness and grace in different ways. He embraced and celebrated the prodigal who felt unworthy. But, even while the party was still going,
he left the celebration to encourage and affirm the oldest son, while also gently correcting his attitude.
Our heavenly Father’s love for us cannot be measured
When we are far from home, He eagerly waits and yearns for our return. And while we are still far off, He rushes to meet us and walk the rest of the way with us. He also
has such compassion and understanding for those who have difficulty welcoming the prodigals.
We are in His family and our Father loves all His children.
