The unswerving love of the Father

One of the most well-known fathers from literature is the father of the “prodigal son.”  

This is a parable Jesus told for everyone, but specifically for two groups of Jewish people who were continually attempting to argue with Him. They believed in a strict interpretation of Jewish law — and shunned those who did not “measure up.” 

They were always on Jesus about, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” This was getting way too chummy in their pious view. If only these learned men had wondered why these “sinners” were flocking to Jesus, but they completely missed that. 

Jesus told them about a well-off dad with two sons. It happens today. The older one seemed to do everything “right.” He wanted to please. But the younger son had a wild streak. When he was old enough to inherit, he demanded his half of the estate. Once he got it, he took off. 

He went as far away as he could — and “squandered his estate with loose living.” Loose living was no different than as it is now. In the story this young man “devoured his wealth with prostitutes.” Suddenly he was out of money. Just in time for a “severe famine” that hit the country — and cast him into poverty. 

He ended up hiring out to feed the pigs, which were the lowest of the low unclean creatures in Jewish culture. He was so hungry he lusted for the carob tree pods the swine were eating. 

Then Jesus says he “came to his senses.” There he was dying of hunger, when his father's hired men had more than enough bread. He decided to return home. But not as a son. He wanted his dad to hire him. He had blown it, and he knew it. He would become a servant. 

This is the great part of the story. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” We can infer that he was watching for his boy to come home. He had nothing bad to say. He ignored his son's plea to take him in as hired help. 

Instead, this broken and ashamed young man — “I have sinned against heaven and in your sight” — was given a robe, and a ring, and sandals. His father arranged a feast with a fattened calf. He couldn't wait to start celebrating. He said, “This son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” 

The older son heard the music and dancing when he came in from the field. He was enraged. His father begged him to join the celebration. He basically said, “You never did any of this for me — and I've been right here all the time serving you and following your every command.” His dad didn't undervalue that. He told him, “Son, you have always been with me and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead, and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.” 

What a father! Jesus was saying this is the Father that He knows — the one who sent Him to offer forgiveness to those who recognize they need it, to welcome the lost and stumbling — and help them “begin to live.” The outcasts of His day craved the life-giving words of Jesus. And He was glad to dine with them — a sign of real intimacy in their culture. 

What a lift in life to have this kind of father — to be this kind of father. But so many times it doesn't happen. There is hope for families to change this — just like the son in the story who “came to his senses.” There is a Father waiting and watching — willing to give all the support that is needed and ready to celebrate a new direction and a change of heart. 

Carol Shirk Knapp writes a weekly column of faith and community.