We’ve all read it–the parable of the “Prodigal Son” in Luke 15:11-32. Their are three main characters here. Two sons: a younger rebellious son who returns & longs for restored fellowship with his father; and a jealous self-righteous son who thinks his good works entitles him to everything. While many Christians will have, at one point in their life, associated themselves with one of the sons, it’s the father that propels this story forward in that he demonstrates the unconditionality of a relationship–thus, unconditional love.

As Christians, we do indeed experience peaks and valleys in our faith walk. As Christ-followers, while the overall trajectory of our life experiences points upward, it’s in these valleys where rebellion occurs. Does it mean we’re less of a Christian or no longer a Christian? No, because our salvation with the Lord is not dependent on what we do or don’t do; our works. But rather if you truly repented your sins and wholly & authentically accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, hence forging a life-long relationship with Him. In the latter is why the father, in this parable, truly characterizes the essence of a relationship…

Here, the younger “son” was in complete rebellion and squandered his inheritance. Broken and destitute he returns to his “father.” I put quotes around “son” and “father” so as to emphasize the relationship even before the son rebelled. As the relationship might have been dormant while the younger son was away in rebellion; it’s when he returns is when he realizes, in a wonderful surprise, that his relationship with father is always there!

I totally love verses 18-20. The imagery is powerful! A broken young man with his head down, probably weeping & crying in complete and utter guilt. And then his father does this:

“I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

His father RAN towards his son the second he saw him! And then he kissed and embraced him! Are you kidding!? This goes against the grain of everything society tells us! And then his father threw a party for him!

While many might wonder where is the consequence of the younger son’s rebellion; this parable focuses more on the aspect of our relationship with Jesus Christ, as Jesus identifies Himself with God in his loving attitude towards the lost…

In fact, this is probably what the older son was thinking. This is where envy and jealousy is bred. In his own self-righteousness, the older son by virtue of his good works felt entitled. And he refused to join in the celebration of the return of his brother. In fact, he probably felt his younger brother deserved to be treated like the servants.

In either case of the sons, the relational aspect with their father was truly characterized by “unconditional love” and not good works, or lack thereof. The ending of this parable is fitting as the father responds to his older son’s frustration, thus encapsulating God’s definition of “unconditional love.”

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'”
–Luke 15:31-32

At this phase in your Christian walk, which character do you associate yourself with?: the younger son, older son, or the father?