The Prodigal God Part 2 The younger brother...

Luke 15:11-32

Jesus tells a parable that begins with the younger of two sons asking for his father to give him his portion of the family estate. "...this division of the estate only occurred when the father died. Here the younger son asks for his inheritance now, which was a sign of deep disrespect. To ask this while the father still lived was the same as to wish him dead. The younger son was saying, essentially, that he wants his father's things, but not his father."

This statement really strikes me, because I think believers in Christ and unbelievers a like do this. We want God to be what we want him to be, when we want him to be, but want to stop short of giving him the honor He is due as creator and sustainer of all.

The younger son was asking his father to tear apart his life, his land and his identity and the father seems to do it without question.

The son leaves home and squanders everything until he finds himself feeling a bit jealous of the pigs lunch. He decides on a plan to beg to serve as a hired hand in the father's house.

The response he finds as he comes in sight of his father's estate is astounding. His father sees him coming and RUNS to meet him. Just as amazing he sends for the robe! "The father is saying, 'I'm not going to wait until you've paid off your debt; I'm not going to wait until you've duly groveled. You are not going to earn your way back into the family, I am going to simply take you back. I will cover your nakedness, poverty, and rags with the robes of my office and honor."

This shows how lavish and prodigal (prod-i-gal: 1. recklessly extravagant. 2. having spent everything.) God's grace is. "Jesus shows the father pouncing on his son in love not only before he has a chance to clean up his life and evidence a change of heart, but even before he can recite his repentance speech. Nothing, not even abject contrition, merits the favor of God. The Father's love and acceptance are absolutely free."

This story in no way is over at this point. Remember, Jesus is telling this parable in response to the snide comments of the Pharisees. Part 3 next time...