The previous 5 parts have broken down the passage in sections and looked at each person’s behavior in that section. For this last entry, I’d like to do a character analysis of the people in this parable, and hopefully help each of you to see where you fit in this story, by either the good or bad that we’ve done, and how we should conduct ourselves in a future, similar situation.
The Prodigal SOn
Prodigal: : characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure : LAVISH; : one who has returned after an absence
Merriam-Webster
What/Who is the prodigal son? It’s a common and simple question, with a relatively complicated answer. The what is easily answered in the definition above, but the who is a much more complicated matter to discern. All of us are prodigal! I repeat, “ALL OF US ARE PRODIGAL!!” Both saved and unsaved we all are guilty of profusely wasting the forgiveness, grace, and power that our Father (God) has freely given us. Now I use the term freely, but in all actuality, nothing that we receive from the Father is free because it was paid for by the blood of Jesus which is a debt that we can never repay, but we freely received. We are guilty of lightly valuing, if at all, the forgiveness of sins that we received through the blood that he shed to cover the cost of the blood that we rightfully should be pouring out as a sacrifice for our own sins. Many of us live a lavish sinful life in that we indulge/participate in a multitude of sins knowingly or ignorantly, which causes us to miss and sometimes lose the value of the forgiveness that Jesus has provided, or realize the freedom and power found in grace. The prodigal son in the passage in Luke 15 would appear to be born into a rich family implied by the fact that he asked for his share of the inheritance prematurely, AND his father had the liquid resources on hand to “cash out” to him on demand. The prodigal son no longer appreciated what he didn’t deserve, but rather he desired what he didn’t need. Let’s unpack that. The prodigal son like us was born the child of a Father (God) who loved him unconditionally, and had everything that he needed available to him, yet he gave him responsibilities around the house that he did not like, but were meant to prepare him for the day when he would receive the blessings that were prepared for him before he was even born. It can be difficult to remain faithful or see the value in obedience with no reward. The prodigal (younger) son had a clear example before him in his older brother who was faithful/obedient to the Father and worked diligently but didn’t have any more fun, riches, or status than he did other than age and responsibility. The prodigal son like many unsaved people AND some in the church didn’t see any value in direct connection or relationship with the Father because his shortsightedness and lack of faith caused him to value the natural and temporal above the eternal/heavenly. He, like many of us waste the opportunity to develop a personal connection with the Father that would allow us to know his heart, and he reveal the areas of our heart that need healing. The prodigal son chose to leave the house (church) in search of fun, meaning, experiences, truth, etc but what he found was despair, confusion, disappointment, pain, sorrow, etc. At the prodigal son’s lowest point he realized that he had a home (church) to return to, which he did. Upon his return at home, he found that his Father (God) was expectantly waiting for him, embraced him, and was so joyful at his return that he threw a celebration for him.
20“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.15:21 Some manuscripts add Please take me on as a hired servant.’ 22“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. Luke 15:20-24
Reflection Time
For those of who left the house (church), what is preventing you from returning? Do you realize that your Father (God) still loves you and is waiting for you to return home so that he can embrace you and elevate you back to rightful position as an heir? Have you been guilty of wasting or not appreciating God’s love, grace, and mercy for you? Take a moment to reflect on the things that God (for some of you also consider your earthly parents) has done for you even when you didn’t want it, appreciate it, or even realize what he was doing for you. If you have been prodigal and returned home, then I believe that it is time for you to search out another who is lost, share your story/journey and experiences, and help them to return home.
