Parents of prodigals should demonstrate joyful forgiveness when their child returns. The elder brother was indignant that “this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes” was the object of his father’s affection and celebration. Recitation: Luke 15:11 Then Jesus said, “A man had two sons. In my mind, this has to be evidence of a man with tremendous faith. The first characteristic of a loving father that I find here is that he had to be a man of faith. The father’s love is so recklessly generous that it allows for rebellion. (Luke 15:11-32) First, there is the son who was restless and driven to experience whatever sinful pleasures money could buy. This sin was unforgivable. Thank you!! Jesus was hoping that you would ask. Maybe we find ourselves to be none of these characters and wonder why it is we must hear this story again and again. His father comes bounding in from nowhere to sweep him into a crushing embrace that seems to last as long as his entire journey back from Out There. III. He wanted his share of the inheritance, and he wanted it immediately. When the father came out to beg the second son to reconsider (notice that the father has now rushed to recover both his sons), the boy complained that he was being treated unfairly. Good word, Matt! Each one of us can relate in some way to the parable Jesus told about a prodigal son, his father, and his older brother. Ivan December 14, 2010 at 10:11 AM. Comments. Question: Who is the father in this story? The Prodigal's Father, Chris and Michelle Groff - Read more about Christian parenting and family. Who do we find ourselves to be the Parable of the Prodigal Son told in the Gospel of St. Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32? Significantly, we are told, he stood outside his father’s house “and would not go in.” The symbolism of remaining outside the Father’s house is striking. I … If you focus on the son, you miss a more profound side of the story. Helping Prodigals Come Home: Loving like the Father. You see, he didn’t argue with his son, he didn’t beg his son to stay, he simply allowed him to leave. If you pay attention to the details of this story and ponder it seriously, you will disagree with its traditional title being “the Prodigal Son” because this story is about “the Prodigal Father,” a father who is so extravagant with his love and grace. Look at verses 21-24: “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. Finally, parents of prodigals should demonstrate joyful forgiveness when their child returns. Are we the prodigal, the father, the citizens of the country, the brother, the slave, or perhaps the pigs? The father seems to be symbolic of God the Father as we will see more clearly later in this parable. His father might be willing to forgive, but by golly, he wouldn’t! His standards were higher than his father’s. And later, instead of rejecting the son who rejected him, the prodigal father watches and waits for his eventual return. Mitch Marlowe. I have heard that the story of the Prodigal Son was well known in Jesus' time, but the ending in the traditional Jewish story was that the lost son remained lost, … He tries to share his painfully crafted words of brokenness and humility with his Dad, but his plea for the life of a hired hand is swiftly and completely dismissed. The father is God…and He is a Prodigal God! Patrick Ward December 3, 2012 at 5:53 PM. And when the son finally returns home, the father showers him with gifts and a banquet. Son said to him, the father is God…and he is a Prodigal God, parents of prodigals should joyful. 15:1-3, 11b-32 Then Jesus said, “ a man of faith 5:53 PM to forgive, but golly... More about Christian parenting and family there is the father in this.! 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