Scripture Notes: The Prodigal, Part 4 (Luke 15)

The young man in Jesus’ parable has lost everything, including his illusions about the world and wealth and high living. Everything has crashed down around his ears, and he is stuck tending pigs and starving to death. Finally, though, he wakes up and realizes that he really is not stuck at all. He can go home. He knows he does not deserve to be treated as a son, but he has hope that his father (who is now tremendously kind and generous in his son’s eyes) will at least take him in as a servant. So he makes his plan. Then the son does something that many people fail to do. He gets up and carries out his plan. He sets out on his journey home. He does not merely think; he acts. 

Now the scene shifts to the father, who has apparently been keeping watch for his son. Something in him has hoped for a long time that the young man would return. He understands, after all, that a youth going out into the great, wide world will meet with unexpected difficulties and suffering and not be able to cope too well. So he has watched and waited, and now, finally, he sees his son coming down the road. The father does not hesitate for a moment. He gets up and runs to meet his boy, who is home at last. He does not care one bit what he looks like or who sees (for men of his status and age do not run). He just goes.

The son must be shocked at the expression of compassion on his father’s face as he sees the older man running toward him. The father embraces the young man (literally throws himself on his neck...an ancient expression for what is probably a massive bear hug) and kisses him. This is not at all what the son is expecting. He starts reciting his carefully prepared confession, but his father does not even seem to hear, nor does the son have a chance to finish. The father is already busy ordering a bewildered servant to bring out the best clothes and sandals and ornaments for his son (a bath is likely in order, too) and to prepare a feast. “Let us eat and make merry,” the father proclaims, “for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:23-24).

Forgiveness is instant on the father’s part. He seems to see right into his son’s heart. Words drift off into air in the midst of his embrace and his excitement at having his son back in his arms. What happened in the past is left there; it is time to rejoice in the present and restore the lost one to new life. This is exactly what God does for us repentant sinners.