Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Genesis 21-24
     New Testament Reading: Luke 15

So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate (Luke 15: 20-24).

If the parable of The Good Samaritan is not the most well-known, then certainly it is this parable of The Prodigal Son. Both Charles Dickens and Ralph Waldo Emerson believed this to be the greatest short story ever told. Luke is the only gospel writer to include either of these stories, and we can be thankful that God inspired him to write these two wonderful parables of Jesus.

This parable is often named ‘The Prodigal Son’ after the younger son in the story, as he sought to live a reckless, wasteful life. However, some believe it should be called ‘The Parable of the Elder Son’ as Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and they are portrayed in the story as the elder son. Still others believe it should be named ‘The Parable of The Loving Father’ for the main point of the story is the love and compassion of God our Heavenly Father. All of these views are correct, for in one short parable, Jesus is teaching three important lessons.

Many Christians today, like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, have a pretense of holiness but live a life empty of the joy God intends for us. On the outside, he looked like an obedient, faithful son, but on the inside, he lacked love and kindness. He refused to forgive his brother and became angry with his father who did. All the father’s possessions were his to enjoy and use, but because of his attitude, his relationship with his father was strained. As Jesus often did, He left this parable open-ended. We don’t know if the elder son ever repented, and his relationship with his father was restored.

At times, like the Prodigal Son, we find ourselves distant from our Heavenly Father. Times when God hasn’t answered our prayers as we think He should; times when we place our aspirations, our goals, our dreams ahead of His; and/or times when unconfessed sin has stifled our relationship with Him. Know that if we find ourselves distant from God, it was not God who moved.

Like the younger son, we need to change our perspective of ourselves and our situation. He admitted he was a sinner and confessed that his father was a generous man. Had he stopped there, he would have experienced only regret and/or remorse. True repentance involves the will as well as the mind and emotions. He said, “I will get up… I will go … I will say …”. Our thoughts may be honorable, but unless we act on them, they cannot bring about lasting good. His attitude changed. Instead of saying, “father give me!” he said, “father make me!”. He did not presume on his father’s generosity, but was willing to become a servant even though he was a son.

The father in the parable, like our Heavenly Father, showed his mercy and grace as well as his overwhelming love for his child. When the son returned to him, he ran to meet him and honored him with a grand feast. The father never permitted the younger son to finish his confession. He interrupted him, forgave him, and ordered the celebration to begin.

How often do we remember God’s holiness but forget His compassion? We try to hide and suffer in our distance from him. We forfeit an abundant life when we neglect to repent and abide in Him. Whenever we feel distant from God, we need to go to Him in prayer. Confess our sin to Him and remember His compassionate love for us.