The Prodigal’s Father

The Prodigal's Father

Understanding the Parable

This sermon explores the well-known parable of the lost son, often called the Prodigal Son. While commonly viewed from the son's or the older brother's perspective, today we focus on the Father's heart. Jesus shares this story with religious officials who question why He associates with sinners, aiming to reveal the true essence of the Gospel.

The narrative of Luke 15:11-32 illustrates a theme: "lost and found and celebrate." It is a testament to the goodness of our Father God and His unconditional love for each of us.

Watch the Sermon on YouTube

1. Love Without Controlling

The younger son disrespectfully demands his inheritance while his father is still alive, effectively saying, "You are dead to me." In this culture, such a request was deeply dishonoring. Surprisingly, the father grants his wish, dividing his livelihood and allowing the son to leave, knowing it will lead to reckless choices.

This act embodies God's love for humanity: He gives us life and the freedom to choose, even if we reject, dishonor, or cause ourselves harm. True love cannot be forced; it only flourishes in freedom, just as Joshua declared to the Israelites: "Choose this day whom you will serve." Love doesn't fear, cling, or control—it allows freedom.

2. Love Leaves The Light On

Inspired by the tradition of leaving a light on for a loved one's return, the father in the parable continuously watches for his son. Despite the son's immense disrespect, public shame brought upon the family, and years of absence marked by distant travel, wasted wealth, and famine, the father never disowns or curses him.

His enduring hope is evident in Luke 15:20: "But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion." This speaks to God's relentless love for us, always keeping the light on, no matter how far we wander or how long it takes to return. We are encouraged to pray without growing faint (Luke 18:1), never giving up on those who have strayed.

3. Love Runs Toward Forgiveness

Upon seeing his son "still a great way off," the father doesn't wait for an apology or a sign of repentance. Instead, he runs toward him—an undignified act for a man of his stature in that culture. He embraces and kisses his broken, filthy, and rebellious son, demonstrating compassion.

This act of running goes against cultural norms, community expectations, and even the father's own hurt. His forgiveness is not earned; it is freely given. Romans 5:8 reminds us: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." True love and forgiveness often mean making the first move, not because the other person has changed, but because you have.

4. Love Restores Fully

Instead of offering a probation period or second-class status, the father immediately commands his servants (Luke 15:22-24): "Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

This is not just forgiveness but total restoration: a robe of honor, a ring of authority, and sandals of inheritance, signifying full inclusion in the family. The father prioritizes relationship over reputation, grace over fairness, and celebration over cynicism. Isaiah 61:10 beautifully illustrates this: "For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness." God restores us joyfully, publicly, and completely, even in our imperfection.

5. Love Bears The Cost

The parable highlights that the father doesn't merely forgive; he absorbs the full cost of his son’s failure, including financial loss, public shame, and emotional strain. His words to the older son, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours," reiterate his willingness to bear all burdens for both sons.

God desires us to reflect this sacrificial love for others. Galatians 6:2 commands us to "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." This "law of Christ," as described in John 13:34, is to "love one another; as I have loved you." Christ, too, bore our legal indebtedness, nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:14), offering His all before we ever chose to return.

A Prayer for Reflection

The Father's heart remains constant: He is still watching, willing to forgive, fully restore, cover our shame with honor, and celebrate new beginnings. You are still His son, still His daughter.

• If you are a son or daughter who has wandered far away, know that God loves you for who He created you to be, and He's given His all for you to turn and come back to Him.
• If you're a parent or friend watching someone walk away, be encouraged to pray without growing faint.
• If you're challenged to love someone who has hurt and rejected you, recall the Father’s heart and reflect His love back to them.

Luke 15:11-32, Galatians 6:2, John 13:34, Colossians 2:14