Luke 15:22 " But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. "
The story of the prodigal son has three characters. The Father, the prodigal, and the brother.
We have all been each of them.
Last week we talked about the prodigal, today lets look at the Father.
The father was unappreciated, disrespected, and wounded by his youngest son. By all accounts he was a great Dad, heartbroken by a self-centered and unappreciative child.
Have you ever been there? Have you ever given all you had to someone who apparently didn't care? Have you ever been truly mistreated? If so, you've been where this man was.
Our response to mistreatment is anger, or at best, righteous indignation. When offended, most of us begin to prepare the "I told you so" speech in case the person tries to reconcile. We might be persuaded to eventually entertain an apology, but it will be a long road back to a partial, and tentative relationship.
That was not the Fathers response, and it should not be ours.
We have to get to the place where when someone offends us, and walks out of our life, we yearn for their return. - We have to love others enough to joyfully accept their request for forgiveness.
This Father was apparently on the porch staring down the road longing for his son's return. Waiting for the day his son would "come to himself" and turn around.
When he finally saw him, he didn't prepare his lecture, didn't wait for his son to beg forgiveness.... He sprinted down the road and almost tackled him with a hug and a kiss... waved off his sons apology....and began planning the party.
That is love. That is forgiveness. That is what God did for us. That is what we are to do for others.
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
― C.S. Lewis
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