Written by Dawn Rutan
Most everybody knows the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, but as a friend pointed out many years ago, the word prodigal means wastefully extravagant or lavish. It was the father who said, “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate” (vv. 22-23 ESV). Here comes the son covered in muck and practically crawling home in his shame, and yet the father treats him like royalty. That’s wastefully extravagant spending!
He had absolutely no reason to honor the son with clothes and a party after the way the son had dishonored him and walked out… except for love. The father could have required some penance, or at least made the son wait in fear for a few days while he decided whether to hire him as a servant. But love compelled him to give his best to the son who had treated him so poorly. The thing is, the son could have enjoyed the party and then wandered off again, and yet the father would have treated him just as well the second time he came home.
Our heavenly Father is just as crazy about us! How many times do we wander off into sin and come back repentant only to find the Father waiting with arms open wide? Just before the story of the Prodigal Father, Luke 15:10 says “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” I don’t think that has to mean just the first time a person repents and turns to God. Why shouldn’t the angels rejoice every time we realize our mistakes and turn back to our Father?
The book of Hosea illustrates God’s love for His people through Hosea’s adulterous wife. Never does He say, “That’s enough. I don’t want you back!” How many times did Israel turn away from God sometimes for years at a time? Yet God still calls them His people. And even though God has opened the door to salvation for the Gentiles, He hasn’t still given up on the Jews.
Over and over the Scriptures say “Come back… Return to Me… Return to the Lord…” Isaiah 55:7 says “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” This passage is often used as an evangelism tool, but is it possible for someone to “return” to the Lord if he never previously knew Him? This statement was made as a prophecy to those who knew Him as the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. I find it interesting that this verse is followed immediately by “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways.” It’s as if God is answering the argument that “This person is too far gone for compassion and pardon,” or “I’ve failed one too many times.” No, God says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Romans 9:15).
We aren’t the ones who can judge who deserves forgiveness and compassion, even when it comes to ourselves (as explained in Sunday’s sermon on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5). I’m reminded of Annie Johnson Flint’s song “He giveth more grace… For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.” He keeps on giving like the prodigal He is, and we keep on taking. Sometimes we remember to thank Him, but many times we don’t even notice what we’ve received.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I need frequent reminders that God’s love for me is not dependent on my performance, holiness, service, or lovability. It also doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of me or even what I think of myself. His love is steadfast and unchanging because He is unchanging. That knowledge should keep me running back to Him.
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” –Psalm 73:25-26