Prodigal son
“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’” Luke 15:20-21
Of all the stories that Jesus told, the parable of the prodigal son is perhaps the most famous. It is a story that takes us to the heart of the good news.
Can you think of anything worse than a son asking for his inheritance while his father is still alive? Having secured the money, he then went off and squandered it, ending up completely broke. In his desperation, all he could do was to find a job feeding pigs – and, for a Jew, you couldn’t imagine a worse job because they were banned from eating pork.
The people would have listened to Jesus with rapt attention. But they also knew how the story should end. When they heard that the son planned to return home and ask his father for a job, they knew that any self-respecting father would give him a hiding. He would punish him severely. Everyone could see that’s what he deserved.
But this father was different. Even though he had been horribly abused, he threw his arms around his wayward son and welcomed him home. He then gave him the best robe, put a ring on his finger and threw a big party.
This is precisely the good news that Jesus came to bring. We have all strayed from God’s ways and treated him appallingly. We don’t deserve to be loved by God. Punishment would be entirely appropriate. But, incredibly, God throws his arms around us and welcomes us home.
QUESTION
What does this parable say to you personally?
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you that even though I have done so many things that are wrong, you are willing to forgive me and give me a new life. Amen