The Prodigal Father

/ The Pastor

The Gospel text for this coming Sunday is from Luke 15 (see my post titled Wild Forgiveness).  The parable Jesus is telling is commonly called "The Prodigal Son".  When looking up the definition of "prodigal" I come up with "wasteful".

I wonder…maybe I should title my sermon for Sunday "The Prodigal Father".  After all, wasn’t the father in this parable being wasteful with his forgiveness and mercy?  Aren’t we called as Christians to be "wasteful" with the Good News of forgiveness; boldly proclaiming this to everyone and anyone…even people we deem unworthy?  Maybe we have something to learn from this "wasteful" Father of ours.  God sent Jesus to die for the forgiveness of our sins.  Are we worthy?  Thank God for wastefulness.  -edh-

2 thoughts on “The Prodigal Father”

  1. Pastor,
    I have always enjoyed that parable, But to me it’s three.

    Prodigal Son.
    His life is like alot of ours, we leave the church at a young age and then return when we become starved for the word.

    Forgiving Father
    Is how God reacts to our self centered ness

    Unforgiving Son ( the worst sinner)
    Ah this one begets so many Ideas,
    Un-Forgiveness which hurts only us.
    People in churches who have always attended looking down on new comers
    disobedience.
    How God reacts to the obedient in service who are disobedient in spirit.

    And so on
    Enjoyed your site
    God Bless
    Rick

  2. Thank you Rick for your comment. And to honest, I have seen similar titles in the past when I have read this parable. I think that this time the “Prodigal Father” title slapped ME in the face, but I do see the other titles as well. Thank you for pointing out that we cannot pigeon hole this parable but rather it can speak to us in so many different ways. This is one big reason why we need to keep going back to scripture, even though we claim to know it. John 3:16 still speaks new things to me depending on where I am at in life.

    On a completelt different note: I spoke with a parishoner after worship, this past week, who was listening to the service on our town’s local cable access channel. I asked him how he was doing and his response was: “I am feeling a little prodigal”. That can be taken in so many ways, but he cleared things up for me when he handed me his offering envelop for the week. Something I haven’t seen from him in the three years I have been here. I love how God works.

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