No parable so excites, so moves, and so incites the interest of others than the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.
Point of fact, the Parable is about a prodigal, lavish and ever-loving Father.
The more legalistic mindset will argue -- "The Prodigal Son had to the first step to the Father."
What did take place first? After taking his inheritance, traveling to a far country, wasting his substance, suffering famine, the prodigal son changes his mind:
"17And when he came to
himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and
to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18I will arise and go to
my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
before thee, 19And am no more worthy
to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Too many teachers, pastors, leaders emphasize what we must do before God moves in our lives.
In the third parable, the lost son, a picture of every man and woman who feels alienated from God, or even every Christian who feels that God is angry with Him, has to believe the right things about God the Father.
Contrary to religious teachings, God the Father is not some stern taskmaster, but a wealthy God who wishes us to prosper and be in health, even as our souls prosper (3 John 2). For our souls -- our mind, will, and emotions -- to prosper, we have to walk in the truth (3 John 3-4)
He did not even change his mind, so much as he remembered his Father, and assumed that he would not punish him, but offer him a place as a hired servant.
"20And
he arose,
He believe the right things about His Father, then he took the steps to return home,
Yet even when he got to the border of his home, the Father's reception was beyond what he could have asked or thought (Ephesians 3: 20):
"20 But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had
compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." (Luke 15: 20)
The Father had been longing and waiting for his son to return to him. No matter what he was reduced to, no matter how bad he looked, no matter what he had done, the Father's love exceeded all:
"21And the son said unto
him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more
worthy to be called thy son. 22But the father said to
his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a
ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the
fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For
this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they
began to be merry." (Luke 15: 21-24)
The Father's love was so overwhelming and lavish, that the son could not begin his halting speech to beg forgiveness and a meager job as a hired hand. The Father not only welcomed his prodigal son, but promoted him with the best robe, the ring, sandals, and a great feast.
While so many Christians are caught up with "You must take the first step!" God is just looking for people who will believe on Him and His Son (John 6: 29)
Jesus has done it all for us, granting us the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8: 15). God's love for us is perfected, because as Jesus is, so are we in this world (1 John 4: 17)
We have the same favor, the same power, the same grace, the same love, as Jesus Christ Himself!
God has more than taken the first steps for us. When will we believe Him?
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