The Prodigal Son

Only just recently, an incident happened in my life, which made me think of Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). For the first time in my life, I was able to understand what the father in the story felt, when his lost son returned home…rapturous joy, shock, surprise, unbelief and delight, all at the same time! Only a parent who has had a wayward, lost child return home, can truly understand that feeling!

Jesus loved to illustrate life principals by using short stories, which are called parables. Unlike today, where we have a deluge of visual aids, He had none, except to use the imagination of stories that He told. The story of the Prodigal Son is probably one of the most popular, as it is a profound one! The youngest of two son’s asks his father for his inheritance in advance, he then leaves home and squanders all of it away in wanton and luxurious living. He is not heard of again by his family and is presumed dead. But one day, the son who had been living in the gutters, finally comes to his senses and decides to return home.

The father would go every day to the end of his road, to see if his son might be there, but would return hopeless and forlorn! But on this particular day, to his utter shock and surprise, he saw his son in the far distance! At first, he could not believe his eyes and rubbed them continually as if to say, “No, I am seeing things.” He then runs towards his son, in jubilant excitement, embracing, kissing and hugging him! He is overjoyed and overwhelmed to the point of bursting, at the thought that his son, who was once presumed dead, is now alive, and who was lost is now found (vs. 32). He is in no way bitter or twisted or angry at his son for wasting his inheritance, or for any wrongdoing he might have done. The father forgives him instantly, and only longs to have restored fellowship with his son! And then he organises a party in celebration for his return. What an amazing story of redemption, isn’t it?

So what was the life principal that Jesus was portraying in this story? If you have not already seen it, we, are the young son, and the father in this story represents our heavenly Father. He is an exact replica of how our heavenly Father sees us, even though we may have squandered and wasted our precious lives, away from Him, His only thought and concern is… “They were lost but are now found.” He does not hold a “big stick” to beat us with and condemn us because of all our wrongdoings (John 3:16,17)1. No He instantly and willingly forgives us and lovingly and joyfully (Zeph. 3:17)2 embraces us, welcoming us back home!

And YET people will still despise and hate this all-loving Father, who in their right mind could reject One as pure and beautiful as He? But after turning down and rejecting such an incredible offer of peace and reconciliation, is He also not just and fair then, to also reject and condemn them???

1“16For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.” AMP

2“17The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.” AMP

See You Tube https://youtu.be/8yd8xGhNZXA