Bringing home the prodigals
by Sue
One of the more well-known stories told in the Bible, is in Luke 15:11-32 The story of the lost son, more often referred to as The Prodigal Son. It speaks about a son who made a decision that he could separate himself from his family, go his own way (with the help of his inheritance, which he takes early from his father), and he would then be free to run his life, his way.
Many years ago, Malc and I travelled down to Croydon to listen to the great Christian author Rob Parsons, speaking about the Prodigal Sons (and daughters) that all too often, Christian families discover they have as their children grow up and are tempted by what the world tells them, not only that can they have, but that they are entitled to have.
Sons and daughters, who like the Biblical Prodigal son, decide they can go their own way, do their own ‘thing’, and manage by themselves. Sadly, like the Prodigal son, they are deceived by this world and they discover that they cannot, and often end up in painful and difficult circumstances.
The Bible’s Prodigal, the father’s youngest son, wastes all of his inheritance on prodigal living (wastefully extravagant) living and ends up working with pigs and even hungering after their food – so low he had fallen. But The Bible’s account is not to poke fun at the son’s misfortune but to highlight the amazing, wonderful, and exceptional love demonstrated by his father.
In the muck and mire which he finds himself in, he comes to his senses, recognises that he has made a mess of everything, and makes the decision to return home. Believing that he is no longer worthy to be called a son he decides he will beg forgiveness of his father, hoping that his father might consider hiring him as one of his servants.
Can you imagine the son’s utter amazement when, as he nears his father’s house, his father sees him, runs to him, and embraces him? He is welcomed home and so happy is his father to see his son, that he throws a great party for him.
This story in the Bible is a reflection of the desire in the heart of God to welcome home all those of our ‘prodigal’ sons and daughters - and anyone else who has turned away from the presence of God, to do their own thing and who reach the position where they recognise their own failings (sin) and decide to return and seek forgiveness. God is waiting to rush toward them as they repent and come home to Him.
As parents, we all too would doubtless welcome back our sons and daughters when they return to us.
If you have ever read the Story by C S Lewis – The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, or maybe you have seen the film made from that book, you will remember the character named Edmund, who wandered away from his family and from Aslan the Lion (a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ) after being tempted by the Witch (a picture of the devil) and who fell into her clutches and suffered great pain and fell into terrible circumstances.
When I was younger, I remember my brother bringing home a friend by that name. I liked it and thought maybe one day I will have a son named Edmund. Well, I had two sons, and our youngest, although not named that, very much became an ‘Edmund’ after making a commitment to Jesus, and then wandering away from the Lord in his teen years. He is saved and ultimately heaven-bound, but he has faced painful and difficult times. When that moment comes and he turns back to the Lord, the Lord will run toward him and sweep him up in His arms, forgive him and welcome him back to the fold, just as He will with anyone who repents of the sin (self at the centre of all they do) which separates them from Him presently.
Our God is a forgiving and gracious God who is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)
That amazing story in the Bible gives those of us who have, or know, a ‘prodigal’ that wonderful assurance, that they will come back to us and hopefully also to God.
Keep praying for the prodigals out there and never stop and the words of the father in that story will become yours
“for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:24)
Have you those who are lost? Or maybe you are something of a prodigal yourself? There is hope for all.