Several years ago a book written by Robert Fulghum took the literary world by surprise due to its appeal: “All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” In a similar sense, we could say, “All I ever needed to know about God I learned in the parable called the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
I suspect most of my readers are familiar, maybe overly, with the story. But lest we get carried away with the story of the son, we cannot forget the father! To be more clear: this story gives us a great glimpse into the nature and character of God.
The story is familiar. The younger son disses his father in a big way. He goes against all the cultural norms of his day. He disregards his inheritance. He dishonors his father. He demands his birthright. The father really had no choice in the matter. He gives his son what was his and sends him on his way.
Eventually, the son loses it all and finds himself in a pigpen (literally). Coming to his senses, his devises a speech and heads home. His father sees him (which implies to me he was looking for him), and runs to meet this wayward son. The son doesn’t even get out his speech before the father is lavishing love and gifts upon him.
How much like God that is. A God of the Second Chance. A God who takes our mess-ups and meets us there. A God who takes all our mistakes and wipes the slate clean. He lavishes us with love in spite of all we’ve done. He picks us up, dusts us off, and says, “Now…go.” Not in a put-off sort of way but in a “This is a new start. Move on.”
I’ll be using a quote this Sunday which I plan to highlight in my next post. My theme for 2016 is “It is Written.” My first series is Second Chance. I’d appreciate your prayers for me and for those who need to know this truth.
And how much are todays Christians like the other son? That’s the problem Christians need to correct if they are to be believed.
You are correct jeff.
And how much are todays Christians like the other son? That’s the problem Christians need to correct if they are to be believed. To be forgiven because they are not, may get you to heaven, but it doesn’t look good.
This is a good lesson that we need to be reminded of often.
I need to remind myself daily.
This has always been one of my favorite stories of Jesus’. And as you say, Bill, it tells us God gives us all second chances (and more) and does so with great, unfailing love.
Prayers for the sermon!
Blessings!
Thanks for your prayers martha.
The struggle we have is to pattern our life after the Father and not the other son. This is why, I think, the story is timeless. We need to hear it over and over because, unfortunately, we are a little dumb. It takes forever to figure out that we really are either son. Then the layers that we can peel back each time we think we have won and overcome are numerous.
Even though I am the son I want to be like the father. Unfortunately, I am too much like the older one and really need to change that!
Love that story. Praying for you and the folks that need to come to understand and accept it.
Thanks for your prayers Floyd. They are much appreciated.
There is so much we can learn from this parable. As this new year begins I pray all Christians will remember that God is full of grace and love. We need to embrace it and let it flow in us and through us.
My theme last year was GRACE. I hammered it a lot. 🙂 I will be talking about it again this week in speaking of the actions of the father.
I’m so thankful for the new life we have in Christ. Thanks for the reminder, Bill!
I am too Jon.
2 Corinthians 5:17 is Dick’s and my favorite verse because it, too, offers us the hope of second chances, new life, a re-start. Prayers for you and your flock, Bill!
That is a good verse also Pam. One of my favorite “go to” ones.
I love this post about the “Father” and the son. Too often we focus on the son and not the Father. In fact it kind of concerns me when someone get outs of the pig pen and all they talk about is the pig pen and not the Father. I have a nephew by marriage that had a dear death experience, goes around talking about it all the time, wrote a book about it but every time I talk to him all he talks about is his experience, not about the Father who saved him. It’s never about us, it’s always about Him. In some ways he is puffed up about his experience, not humbles about the Lord who saved him. Praying Bill for this message to work in hearts.
You give a real issue I have with talking about any experience-reveling in the experience instead of the Father who brought it about. Speak of Him not the experience. Thanks for your prayers Betty.
Hi Bill! Have you ever read the book “The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Henri Nouwen? I LOVE that book. Its a personal study of the painting done by Renoir. It really did open my eyes to all the characters in this short, but powerful passage.
I am supposed to be like the Father. Welcoming, love, celebrating…it’s a challenge!
Blessings,
Ceil