The Prodigal Son

We live in a society that seems happy to heap blistering attacks on our perceived cultural enemies. What’s the remaining product? A lot of hate, judgment and mistreatment of people! 

We have a choice as to how we treat others. 

Consider the Parable of the Prodical Son. In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells about the youngest son going to his father to ask for his inheritance ahead of time. The young son then took the inheritance, had a good time and quickly ran out of money. He ended up working in a pigpen, of all places! So, the young son, humiliated, remembered what life was like back at his dad’s place. He thought about his father’s servants being fed well and shelter at night, which was way more than he had! So, he returned home and told his father he had sinned. Guess what? His father accepted him with open arms. His older brother, however, was outraged, angry that his father had celebrated his return with open arms. It just wasn’t fair! But, the Father had a different mindset! The Father gave him a ring, a robe, a huge feast and a pair of sandals in his honor. He welcomed him home!

The parable of the Prodigal Son has something for us all! There are times we’ve been like the prodigal son and wandered far from God and the calling God gave us. We would rather seek earthly pleasures, acceptance, and pleasures of this temporary world. The Prodigal Son shouts
"I want more than this!"

There are times when our attitude is more like the older brother. In our desire to do the “right thing”, be responsible and obey, we don’t realize that we’ve become bitter and resentful toward those who aren’t performing like we are! The older brother cries out “It’s not fair! What about me?”

The Father, who represents our heavenly Father, showered his son with unconditional love and acceptance back into the family. The Father could have shunned his son and judged him forever for his actions. Instead the Father cried out “Welcome home!”

Which of these three characters in the parable do you relate to today? Ask God to make you more like the Father, full of compassion and love to all.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.” Romans 12:10

“But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him, he ran and hugged his son and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.