Are We A Prodigal Son Of God?

The Lord Jesus Christ related a parable (a brief narrative story with earthly analogies to illustrate a spiritual truth) of a certain man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” Without any hesitation, the father divided between his two sons their inheritance in advance (Luke 15:11-32).

Notice that before this parable, the Lord Jesus talked of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7) and the lost coin (15:8-10).

This parable of the lost son and the two previous parables was to answer the accusation of the Scribes and Pharisees who were then the religious leaders, to the effect that Jesus chose or even enjoy the companionship of sinners. In these parables, He showed that His mission to the world was not to make miserable, or to condemn and destroy, but to recover that which, or redeem, who was lost (John 3:17-18). These are the very ones that needed a Savior. The Lord Jesus himself said, “For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 KJV).

Who is a prodigal son? The prodigal son by his actuation was not a dutiful or “good” son, not one who would please his father, but one who desired his own way, like many of us. I said “us” because I include myself. The tender care, sympathy and love of his father was not enough, and the patient, kind, and benevolent acts of his father was not appreciated at all by the first son. To him something was yet lacking - - full liberty. He thought his life would be much better if his liberty was not restricted, for his idea of liberty was wild license, and as he craved to be independent of all authority, he wanted to break loose from all the restraint of his father’s house. Soon he spent his fortune in riotous [spendthrift] (in Pilipino-Visayan dialect, patakang pag-gastos) until he spent all his fortune. He never invested his good fortune. There was no FGBMFI yet!

In his liberty and independence, no one now would say to him: “Do not do that, for you will destroy yourself. Rather, do this, because it is the right thing to do.”

What was worse was that a great famine arose in the country in which he sojourned, and in his hunger he feed himself with what the swine (pigs) did eat. Notably, Jews abhor and do not eat swine (Leviticus 11:7).

Consequently, starvation stared him in the face, thus compelling him to apply for work in the place of his choice believing that he would enjoy life once again. He was assigned by his employer to do the most menial of work – to feed swines (or pigs) and ate what the swines did eat. Although this work to a Jew like him (he being an Israelite, a chosen race/people by God) was the most disreputable of all callings or work, yet he was willing even compelled, so to speak, to do anything, just so he can feed himself and survive. He was suffering from extreme hunger, and cannot fill his want, and, under these circumstances he remembers that his father at home has bread enough and to spare even for his servants. Having come to his senses, he resolves to go back to his father.

The story says, “when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion on him, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (vs. 20). How loving and kind was his father! This is a picture of our God receiving unto Himself a penitent sinner. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world (the sinners) that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes (and repents of his sins and receives Jesus as his only savior) in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).

Normally, a human father is different in attitude. To an erring child, he would show anger, utter words like, “it is your fault; you deserve to suffer so you will learn a lesson” or any phrases of similar import. In Pilipino (kasalanan mo yan. Magdusa ka para matuto ka). In extreme cases, a disobedient prodigal child is disinherited.

We may have committed mistakes and made foolish decisions, or sins that are grievous that makes us deserving to be in hell, but as in the parable of the prodigal son, as soon as we repent and ask for forgiveness, and receive/accept Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) as our only savior, God readily accepts us with open arms. Thus, the canonized Bible says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV). We are instantly forgiven and accepted without any harsh words, like how the father in the parable responded with compassion upon seeing his prodigal son even afar off - - he ran to meet him and kissed him. Compassion is kindness with action.

There is every reason for us to return to our God. There is no reason to fear. God is not like any normal human father. We are God’s son and He will never leave us nor forsake us, for as long as we repent, ask for forgiveness and return to Him. This was the promise of God to Joshua of Old Testament times (Joshua 1:5). In New Testament times, God repeated or reiterated the same assurance and promise to all believers; “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). A prodigal son? Repent and return to our God like the prodigal son. We shall be received by Him with open arms and be instantly forgiven. Heaven will be our home for eternity.