The Prodigal Has a Father

by Keith Gardner

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

In Luke 15:11-32 Jesus tells the story of a young son who, after asking for and getting his inheritance, left his father’s home to live his life as he pleased. After squandering all that he had and coming to his senses, he returned to his father, expecting nothing more than to be a hired hand. What he received was the love and acceptance that he had earlier rejected. This is the very familiar story that speaks of the reaction God has for us as we relent our self-will to our Creator. Much has been said about the son, and much attention has been paid to the nuances of this rebel’s life.

There is another life that deserves our attention, and upon careful examination we see the actions and the heart of a father, longing for the love of his son. Imagine with me, the brokenness of a father as he complies with his grown son’s request for his inheritance. The father knows this is for no good, but the heart of a rebel is not easily turned from the lies that twist the mind, and pull the heart to the illusion of happier living. The thoughts that project carefree living with endless joy are really traps to the slavery of the lie, and a life of misery and pain; never finding that elusive happiness that is just around the next corner. Jesus records none of the words of the Father; no reply, no rebuttal. If there are any, they are wasted, falling to the ground like crumbs on the lips; brushed aside; of no value, of no worth.

The father shares the heartbeat with his Lord. For a son to reject the love of his dad means he has also rejected the love of his creator. In this instance, the father on earth and the Father in Heaven share the same anguish; feel the same pain. The great difference between the two is this. The father on earth has only lost his son; he does not know his where abouts; the particulars of his living. He is spared the pains of knowing the details of his son’s choices. The Heavenly Father sees it all, feels it all, and suffers it all. He elects to set aside His sovereignty, allowing the son to carry the weight of his choosing.

It is in this Heavenly knowing that the dad draws strength from his Lord. The dad can pray the will of heaven, knowing that the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective. The two can commune in a shared love, creating hope and anticipation for that day when the rebel has been slain and a son is again home.

Malachi 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers….