Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

Let’s think of this story like this, God as the father and replace the sons with us. The story takes on a whole different look. God gives us our inheritance in the way of eternal life. As God’s children some will choose the way of following Him and some of His children will squander this gift to pursue worldly treasures. Through His grace and mercy, he openly welcomes us back. But is there more we can take away from this parable?

I had a huge revelation recently about this story. As parents we are to do just as God and the father does in this story. I have a child who is like the one son where he is doing all the right things laid before him by society and Jesus. I also have a child who is running to follow worldly pleasures and is running from his convictions and Jesus. Our one child gets so upset at the other. They ask often why their sibling seeks out the world and how we keep forgiving them. We tell them we will never turn away our child no matter how many times they run away. Our child will always need a place where they can run to, a safe refuge. Jesus forgave us and we are to forgive also. We remind our child, as humans it is easy to remember past wrongs done to us. We need to be like Jesus. He gives us forgiveness, the memory completely erased and never thought of again.

When you read the last verse it speaks of ‘celebrating and be glad, for this your brother was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.’ I long for this day… to celebrate and give praise for when my child will be alive in Jesus. My child will no longer be lost in the world, they will be found! When this day comes I will cry tears of JOY! In this verse there is so much hope. In this verse I will put my trust and faith in Jesus. This is one of His many promises to us.

One day our child will return to the family, and their eyes will be opened to everything. We continue to pray for this day to come. Obviously, we would love for that to be sooner rather than later. We know God’s timing is not out own. 2 Peter 3:9 says, ” The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promises as some count slowness but is patient toward you.” Right now, we will continue to pray over both our children. Our one to keep learning how to offer forgiveness toward their sibling. For our other, that conviction in their heart will open their eyes toward what sin has done in their life and how there is hope.