Why do people keep returning to the Parable of the Prodigal Son? Maybe because they see themselves in it. Maybe because it has so many lessons and examples for us. Like many stories that Jesus told, it is misnamed. It is more about the love of the father than the nature of the son. Or sons, remember there were two of them and the father loved them both.
The father and his love represent the love of God. The father did not go out looking for the son, he waited for the son to make the decision to come to the family again. He had laid the groundwork. It doesn’t say it in the text but I can imagine the father saying as the boy left, “Remember that you are always my son, this is still your home and the welcome mat is always out.” It is certainly what I would have said. One danger of interpreting parables is the way we keep moving away from the basic point being made. Here it is the forgiveness of God. People try to make it an explanation of how grace works. Not so. There is no evidence the father sent out search parties. He may have known the kid was coming back, who knows, but there is no indication. He did not need to know all the things the boy had done, one sniff was enough. I don’t know if you have been around pigs but they have a distinctive aroma that just won’t go away.
What we do know is that if we are willing to get out of the pig pen, turn our faces toward the Father and approach Him, we will be welcome.
Years after making that journey I still find it comforting.
homo unius libri
Linked you again, buddy! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI hope that means I am doing something right. Thanks for the support.
DeleteGrace and peace.
It is such a blessing to know that when we mess up, because we are human, zo we will, that God is always willing to forgive and say ,My child , welcome home!
ReplyDeleteYou get a big "Amen" on that. It one of the reasons I can say "Marvelous" when people ask me how I am doing.
DeleteGrace and peace.