“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”‘ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:17-24
The “Prodigal Son” is one of the best-known parables of Jesus. In it, He tells the story of a wayward son who took his father’s inheritance and wasted it all on “reckless” living. The son eventually bottoms out and decides to return home to at least be a servant in his father’s home. Here is where the story takes an unexpected turn, the father does not shame or reject his son, but runs to him, kisses him and lavishes him with love. What? Nobody saw that coming. The true prodigal of the story is not the son. It’s the father. “Prodigal” means ‘to lavish’ or to ‘extravagantly pour out’. This is the heart of our Heavenly Father. He is the one who lavishes with grace and mercy. He is the Father that pours out love unthinkable and unimaginable. The kind of love that is transformative. He is your Heavenly Father.
Happy Father’s Day, Every Nation!