The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:11-32 NIV
The story of the prodigal son is one of those that many of us, believer and not~yet believers, have heard throughout our lifetimes.
Wayward son wants to see and live a life bigger and better (so he thinks) than what he’s had. His father grants his son the opportunity to take his inheritance and go do as he pleases.
And that, he does.
Just as many of us have done, we come to our senses to discover what we’ve wasted and taken for granted was the very thing that we were seeking in all the wrong places. Popularity, acceptance, relationships, status, corporate titles, friends in high places, possessions with bling, and the bank accounts that attest to our importance … they pale by comparison to what we really pursue in this life.
Compassion, a place to call home, respect, family, love … these all can look differently to us, but the bottom line is that when our face is in the trough and we’ve had enough, it’s time to put aside all that pride and get real.
The reality is that our soul longs to be filled with the presence of GOD. No amount of stuff can equate or substitute for that longing. Only He can fill that void.
Most of us know this parable (story) to reflect the crazy chaotic life that the son chose to indulge, and that he went running back home to admit his failure.
I encourage you to read and re-read this parable. This tender story is more about the father running out to receive his son ~ knowing that he had been in all the wrong places and done all the things. Not holding back, the father cast aside all cultural norms and went out to meet his son when he saw him in the distance.
No scolding, no punitive or judgmental words to pound into his face. No finger pointing or humiliation. Pure love and joy at the very sight of his son to the point of calling for a big party.
This, Sweet Friend, is exactly how GOD the Father sees you … sees me. The moment we are in sight coming home, He comes out to meet us right where we are.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
*Thank you to Phil Wickham for this.
Titus Two 