PENnED

Read: Luke 15:11-24

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them

Verse 11 is key to knowing what this parable, which has been called “Parable of the Prodigal Son,” is really all about.  One important  thing I learned in seminary is that Bible narratives have generally one important purpose: to draw people’s attention to God. God is always the story’s hero. Yes, even in narratives in which God or God’s name is not mentioned! I think this parable is no exception. In fact, as if to make sure that we don’t miss it, it tells us right at the beginning that it’s about the “man who had two sons.”

So as we reflect on this parable today, let’s focus on God our heavenly Father whose love for us never ceases. The prodigal son is a very important part of the story, but when we read it, the father that represents God in the story should be the focus of our attention.  The parable is about God, our loving heavenly Father whose love for us is undying. There is nothing we can do that can make God not love us. That being so, the proper response to the unconditional and unceasing love of our heavenly Father is to love him and be faithful to him.

God’s love for us is undying, so should our love for God.