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Intention

To welcome the repentant sinner back with open arms and for all to experience the unconditional love of the Father.

Scripture

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“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.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

– Luke 15:21–24

Reflection

Most people know the story of “The Prodigal Son”. And most Christians have spent time reflecting on the son and maybe his brother. Some Bible versions call this passage “The Parable of the Loving Father”. I prefer the term “The Prodigal Father”.

‘Prodigal’ means to spend money or use resources freely, recklessly and wastefully. But it also means to give away lavishly and abundantly.

The father was prodigal in his reception and mercy towards his son. He celebrated by killing the fattened calf and throwing a party (Luke 15:23–24). He also restored his son and removed the shame he would have experienced in acting so poorly.

The father gives his son a big hug and shows his unconditional acceptance of him.

He gives him a robe – a symbol of compassion and a concrete sign of mercy and protection.

He also restores his authority by giving him a ring (Luke 15:22). The estate owner gave rings to responsible sons or trusted officials. Rings were used with wax seals and showed authority. They gave power and responsibility to the wearer.

He also gave him shoes. Slaves and servants were not given shoes. The son, despite desiring a lowly position as a servant (Luke 15:19), was immediately restored to his position. The father received him back into the household and set him free to walk in a comfortable and privileged fashion.

Even before all this exchange happens (the physical and symbolic restoration), the father, filled with compassion, runs to the son (Luke 15:20).

For older Middle Eastern men in Jesus’ time (and still in some places today), running would have been considered an undignified and shameful act. Had the town’s people and elders reached the son first, he would have been met with shame and perhaps abuse. But the loving father takes shame upon himself and runs to meet him.

Everyone has made choices they regret. Many people are not only impacted by their sexual sins but also by the shame that is associated with what they have done or experienced.

The person who walks away from the father often stays away because of the shame they experience, often from their own families or communities.

When addressing sinners and Jewish leaders, Jesus chose the parable of the prodigal father to speak of God’s mercy. His image of God is often at odds with what we perceive or are taught.

He forgives.

He takes our unworthiness and gives us godly authority (Luke 10:19; 15:22).

He rejoices over the repentant sinner (Luke 15:7).

He restores and equips.

There is so much in this parable for each of us. It instructs on how we can experience the Father’s love in our own lives. And the parable teaches us how to show mercy in our families and churches.

Video

Prayer

Father, give me a heart like you have for prodigals. We pray for all those who are lost at the moment, that they may be found. We pray that they may experience your mercy, forgiveness and love. We pray against any unhealthy shame in our lives and the lives of all repentant sinners. Amen.

Author Bio

Paul Ninnes is the Managing Director of Real Talk Australia. Real Talk’s mission is to transform relationships and restore sexual wholeness. This year alone they will present over 700 sessions around Australia and New Zealand.

Paul is married to Emma, and they have six children. He is also the author of the soon-to-be-released men’s program Stouthearted (from which the video above is taken).

Prayer Points and Purpose for October 2024

1. Revival and restoration of sexual integrity to renew the individual, revitalise marriages, restore families and protect children. Hebrews 13:4
2. Revival, repentance and reformation of Australia. 2 Chronicles 7:14
3. Revival, repentance and reformation of America. 2 Chronicles 7:14
4. The Lamb that was slain may receive a reward for His suffering. Revelation 5:12

We invite you to support this prayer campaign by ordering your FREE copy of Break Through: 15 Keys to Supernatural Breakthrough, a book on prayer written by Warwick Marsh. Reading this book will multiply the effectiveness of your prayers. You can make a donation to the Canberra Declaration to help pay it forward and bless someone else to receive a free copy of Break Through.

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Photo courtesy of Adobe.