. . . When he (the prodigal son) came to his senses, he said, '…I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' So he got up & went to his father . . . Luke 15:17-20a
When the prodigal son comes to his senses he realizes that the inheritance he expected to bring freedom only brought bondage & shame. He now finds himself impoverished, with the words: “I am no longer worthy to be called his son” ringing over and over again in his mind.
The prodigal son accepts the fact that he may no longer be able to be called “son” but has the hope of returning & becoming a servant… He thinks his sin has permanently separated him from the love of his father and their relationship is ruined, beyond hope of restoration…
The walk from the pig’s trough to his father’s house would’ve been a long one with the weight of guilt, shame, and regret growing heavier with each step.
But there is a contrast in those verses that astonishes me…
While the prodigal son is overwhelmingly aware of his own failure & unworthiness he must also be equally as confident & assured of the character & faithfulness of his father because the MOMENT the prodigal son comes to his senses he sets off to go back to his father. Verse 18 says “I will set out & GO BACK to my father” — the one person he had taken advantage of, sinned against, & disappointed is the SAME person he knows he can go to. Why? Because he had grown up knowing and experiencing the affection and compassion of his father and was thoroughly aquatinted with his father’s heart. He knew that despite his unworthiness he could return. It does not say that he was afraid to return or that contemplated if he should return. No — when he was at his absolute lowest he says: “I will GO BACK.” He doesn’t make a resolution, saying: “I will get better” or “I will earn a worthwhile living” or “I will become someone my father will be proud of.” Nope. From a far country he embarks on his journey to return.
. . . But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him & was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him & kissed him . . . Luke 15:20b
This expression of love, acceptance, grace, and forgiveness is overwhelming because I see myself in the prodigal son. When I was far from God, dead in my sin, full of shame & bondage my gracious Father ran to embrace me. His arms wide open and His eyes full of compassion — He ran to protect me from every accusation, to silence every fear, to quiet every doubt, and to replace every lie with truth. Running to restore, reconciled & redeem me.
. . . 'Let’s have a feast & celebrate. For this son of mine was dead & is alive again; he was lost & is found.' So they began to celebrate . . . Luke 15:23b-24
The prodigal son believed he would never again be called “son” because he had taken advantage of & abused that title. But here the prodigal son hears the word he knew he was unworthy of: son.
The prodigal son experiences the full extent of the father’s grace: he realizes that his identity was never dependent on his own actions. In the eyes of the father his son’s identity had never changed — he simply was not living in light of who he was.
In the father’s mercy he not only accepts his son but he extravagantly celebrates his return. He doesn’t hold his son’s sin or failure over him and he doesn’t reflect on his own hurt; instead he rejoices. How amazing is the love, forgiveness, & grace of our Father?!
“The LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” – Zeph. 3:17
when I was brought low, He saved me . . .
. . . You have freed me from my chains.
– psalm 116.6+16
“O Yahweh, the God who fights for me
My Hallelujah, My soul’s reprieve
Long before my heart believed
O how far You would go for me
You stepped into my Egypt
You took me by the hand
You marched me out in freedom
Into the promised land”
“Egypt” – Cory Asbury