Tag: Prodigal son

A Lesson from the Parable of the Prodigal Son

Recently, I was reintroduced to the other side of the story behind the parable of the prodigal son as I sat in church listening to a sermon on Father’s Day. I was reminded as I listened, that this story is not simply about a wayward son struggling with guilt and shame because of his actions. This parable profoundly illustrates the heart of a father whose love and mercy defy human expectation. In fact, I believe that there are few parables in the Bible that embody God’s redemptive love amid our brokenness that compares to the parable of the Prodigal Son. This parable found in Luke 15:11-32 was told by Jesus in the hearing of the Pharisees and lawmakers who criticized him for associating with sinners.  Today, let us reflect on the father’s response to the return of his son and what it reveals about God’s unfathomable love for each of us. For those struggling with guilt and shame may you embrace the love and grace of our Father who is always ready to redeem us.

The Moment of Return: Guilt and Shame

This son, having squandered his inheritance on reckless living, found himself destitute, humiliated, and without hope. His decisions had only served to destroy him. In his lowest moment, he resolved to return to his father, not as a son but as a servant, believing he had forfeited his place within the family. The son would have rightly come to this conclusion based on societal response to such actions at that time.

In the historical and cultural context of the parable, family honor was paramount in first-century Jewish society. A son who demanded his inheritance early, as the prodigal son did, would have been seen as deeply disrespectful. He had essentially wished his father dead. This act would have tarnished not only his own reputation but the collective honor of his family, bringing shame upon them in the eyes of the community. To make matters worse, he had departed to foreign lands. His behavior would likely be viewed as abandoning his Jewish heritage, moral corruption and disregard for religious and social norms within the Jewish community. Having grown up in the Jewish community the son would be very aware of how his actions would be viewed. To return having disavowed his family must have brought with it significant feelings of guilt and shame. Upon his return, the community’s response would likely have been public humiliation—a ritualized shaming or even rejection by his father and community.

Through the Eyes of a Father

Yet, this is where the story takes its most remarkable turn. While the son is still far off, the father sees him. This detail is no coincidence; it tells us that the father was watching, perhaps daily, hoping and longing for his son to return. There is no hesitation, no waiting for an apology or explanation. The same is true of Yahweh, He does not wait on an explanation to receive us with open arms. He pursues us because He desires for us to return to Him. In Isaiah 65:24, the scripture reminds us that God stands ready, waiting for us, “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear”.

In the parable, the father not only sees his son, but he runs to meet him. This son having squandered his inheritance had fallen on hard times and was hired to feed pigs. He was returning from a country where there was a famine, hungry and desperate. Surely his appearance was nothing like it was when he had left his father’s house. He was perhaps skinny and raggedy, with slumped shoulders nervously making his way home. Yet, his father recognized him and ran to meet him. Just as this father did, God sees us even when we are at our worst. He knows us. No amount of sin, shame or guilt can hide us from His love.

The father’s proactive and undignified act of running to embrace the son likely served as a protective measure, shielding him from the harsh response of the community. This embrace also affirmed his restoration to the family. The father’s response not only defied societal expectations but demonstrated the power of grace over judgment. How we are treated by those closest to us tends to become an indicator to others about how they should treat us. You can call it a measuring stick. If the father had met him with judgment, scolding and reprimands, then the community would have perhaps joined in. They would simply be reinforcing the harsh judgment of the father. However, this door was closed the moment the father went out to meet him and embrace him.

The father’s unconventional response marked a pivotal moment in this story of redemption. Can you imagine a highly respected elder running down the street to meet a dishonorable son? In those times, it was undignified for an elder, especially a wealthy landowner, to run anywhere!  The father’s decision to run to his son and restore him without hesitation defied all conventions of first century Jewish society. His response magnified the radical nature of his unconditional love. This is just a glimpse of the radical nature of God’s love. The great, sovereign divine potter who has all power and authority comes down to us and meets us where we are. Although He doesn’t have to, God chooses to redeem us unto Himself. We are reminded in Hebrews 4: 15 -16 that:

¹⁵ …we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The Embrace of Grace

The father’s response in this parable is meant to show us that God’s love knows no bounds. The father’s dignity was not his concern. He flung aside societal expectations to reach his son, embracing him, kissing him, and offering immediate acceptance.

The son begins to speak, confessing his sins and asking to be treated as a servant. The father interrupted his son as he began to seek penance. Instead, he calls for the best robe, a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. These items were symbols of restoration, honor, and belonging. The father’s response is pure grace: undeserved, unearned, and lavishly given.

The father covered his son’s shame with a robe and at at the same time restored his status as a man of importance. By placing a ring on his finger, he restored his identity as a rightful heir of the family giving him authority to operate as a son. He restored his honor, placing sandals on his feet showing that he belonged to him.

The father’s response to the prodigal son is a reminder that God does not require penance or repayment. The price for our sins was already paid on the cross by His son Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace. This is what the parable illustrates.

I would imagine that there was some hesitance and shock experienced by the son. He perhaps wondered why his father would without giving it a second thought, place an expensive robe, ring and sandals on him after all that he had done. When we are struggling with guilt, we often believe we deserve to be condemned. We even resist God’s love. Like the prodigal son we carry the guilt and shame of the past to new seasons of our lives. We wait for the other shoe to drop. This expectation is rooted in our guilt and shame that keeps us bound to feelings of condemnation. We think we don’t deserve good gifts. Yet, we do because we are God’s children. We are reminded in Matthew 7: 11 that ^“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Our task is to repent and walk in the promises of God. Guilt and shame are devices of the enemy meant to condemn us. Jesus gave His life so that we are free from condemnation.

The Celebration of Redemption

The story crescendos with a celebration. The father orders a feast, declaring, “This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Rather than dwelling on the past mistakes, the father focuses on the present miracle of his son’s return. He kills the fattened calf and gathers the community for a lavish celebration.

This act of rejoicing reflects the heavenly response to every sinner who repents. In Luke 15:7, Jesus reminds us that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. The father’s celebration is a glimpse into the heart of God, who delights in restoration and reconciliation. This parable clearly demonstrates that our return to God, no matter what our past mistakes, is not tolerated it is celebrated.

What This Means for Us

The father in the parable is a portrait of God’s redemptive love for humanity. When we stray, God does not wait for us to clean up our act before embracing us. Instead, He meets us where we are, offering forgiveness and restoration as His children.

God’s love is not transactional; it does not hinge on our worthiness. Like the father in the parable, God’s love is proactive, extravagant, and unconditional. It seeks us out when we are lost, welcomes us home, and rejoices in our return.

Embracing God’s Redemptive Love

As we reflect on the Prodigal Son’s story, let us remember that God calls us not only to receive His love but to extend it to others. Can we run toward those who have wronged us with open arms? Can we celebrate the redemption of those who return, even if it defies our sense of fairness? Some of us may, like the other son in this parable think the celebration and response when a rebellious son has returned is unwarranted. But let us remember that in God’s eyes we are equally valuable and loved. God desires that everyone repents and enters His eternal rest. The word of the Lord as spoken by the prophet in Ezekiel 18:32 tells us “³² For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”

The father’s response challenges us to love without condition, to forgive without limit, and to rejoice in the restoration of every prodigal.

God’s redemptive love is a gift that transforms lives. It is a love that crosses every boundary, ignores every societal expectation, and offers hope. This story calls us to participate in the divine dance of grace. May you feel the embrace of the Father’s love today. If you are struggling with guilt, may you find peace and redemption and may it inspire you to extend that same love to others.