Most everybody knows the story of the prodigal son in Luke
15, but as a friend pointed out many years ago, the word prodigal means wastefully
extravagant or lavish. It was the father who said, “Bring quickly the best
robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And
bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate” (vv. 22-23
ESV). Here comes the son covered in muck and practically crawling home in his
shame, and yet the father treats him like royalty. That’s wastefully
extravagant spending!
He had absolutely no
reason to honor the son with clothes and a party after the way the son had
dishonored him and walked out… except for love. The father could have required
some penance, or at least made the son wait in fear for a few days while he
decided whether to hire him as a servant. But love compelled him to give his
best to the son who had treated him so poorly. The thing is, the son could have
enjoyed the party and then wandered off again, and yet the father would have
treated him just as well the second time he came home.
Our heavenly Father is just as crazy about us! How many
times do we wander off into sin and come back repentant only to find the Father
waiting with arms open wide? Just before the story of the Prodigal Father, Luke
15:10 says “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one
sinner who repents.” I don’t think that has to mean just the first time a
person repents and turns to God. Why shouldn’t the angels rejoice every time we
realize our mistakes and turn back to our Father?
The book of Hosea illustrates God’s love for His people
through Hosea’s adulterous wife. Never does He say, “That’s enough. I don’t
want you back!” How many times did Israel turn away from God sometimes for
years at a time? Yet God still calls them His people. And even though God has
opened the door to salvation for the Gentiles, He hasn’t still given up on the
Jews.
Over and over the Scriptures say “Come back… Return to Me…
Return to the Lord…” Isaiah 55:7 says “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the
unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have
compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” This passage
is often used as an evangelism tool, but is it possible for someone to “return”
to the Lord if he never previously knew Him? This statement was made as a
prophecy to those who knew Him as the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. I find it
interesting that this verse is followed immediately by “For My thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways.” It’s as if God is answering the
argument that “This person is too far gone for compassion and pardon,” or “I’ve
failed one too many times.” No, God says, “I will have mercy on whom I have
mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Romans
9:15).
We aren’t the ones who can judge who deserves forgiveness
and compassion, even when it comes to ourselves (as explained in Sunday’s sermon on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5). I’m reminded of Annie Johnson Flint’s song “He
giveth more grace… For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and
giveth, and giveth again.” He keeps on giving like the prodigal He is, and we
keep on taking. Sometimes we remember to thank Him, but many times we don’t
even notice what we’ve received.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I need frequent
reminders that God’s love for me is not dependent on my performance, holiness,
service, or lovability. It also doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of me or
even what I think of myself. His love is steadfast and unchanging because He is
unchanging. That knowledge should keep me running back to Him.
“Whom have I in heaven
but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and
my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
–Psalm 73:25-26
