I think that people often mistake this parable as portraying the father's love and forgiveness after his son comes back in repentance and regret, but I just don't see it that way. Nowhere in the parable does it say anything about the son's repentance. He comes to his father out of complete desperation and lack of all other options. It paints so beautiful a picture for me of Christ's love. I so often have come to His feet out of desperation, not repentance, and He welcomes me with open arms and compassion.
And so on this quiet Saturday morning, let's take a few minutes to look a little closer at this parable, shall we?
But while he was still far off, the father
saw him and was filled with compassion (Luke 15:20)
As we enter
the parable in Luke 15: 11, we see that a man had two sons and divided his
property equally between them. The younger son took all that his father had
given him, moved far away, and “squandered his wealth in wild living” (Luke
15:13 NIV). If you’ve ever had teenagers you might be able to identify with the
father at this point. Basically, the son takes the money his father has given
him and does whatever he wants. Likely making some very destructive choices.
Once the son
had spent all he had, he found himself broke and lonely. He got a job feeding
pigs, envying the slop they were eating because he was so hungry. He’s really
hit rock bottom at this point. So he decided it was time to go home. He
rehearsed a speech to give to his father when he returned, hoping that his dad
would at least give him something to eat. The bible then tells us that “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” (Luke 15:19). Oh what a scene this must have been!
Here comes the son, trudging along, not so much repentant as he is desperate. From
a distance his father sees him coming, and without even a thought, he runs to
meet him, hugs him, and welcomes him home like he was never gone!
This is the love
we have in our heavenly father. While we are still far off doing our own thing,
living our lives our way, at times unrepentant, He is ready to welcome us back with
open arms, ready to forgive us no matter what we’ve done. In an article by biblical scholar and my dad, Peter Enns, he writes: “The story isn’t about conversion to Christianity. It’s
about God being on the look out for those in the family who have wandered off,
and God simply can’t wait to welcome them home.”
What if God’s
love really is greater than anything that we could ever do? What if He really
truly loves us despite all of the baggage that we as humans carry? How would
that change the way we see our heavenly father? The way we see ourselves?
Our God is a God
of unconditional love and grace. One who welcomes us with open arms no matter
how far we’ve strayed from Him. He is greater than all of our sins and His love
can reach us no matter how far we have wandered.
Reflection Questions
What is an area
of your life where you have trouble believing God’s unconditional love for you?
A past mistake? A current addiction?
In what ways has
God shown you that He loves you and will always welcome you back with open
arms?
When you feel as
though you are far from Christ’s reach, what is something that could help
remind you that nothing you can do can separate you from His love?
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