The Prodigal Father Series

Like the prodigal, we think the problem is no doing what God wants—sin. The real sin has to do with relationship—walking away from God our Father in prideful self-sufficiency.

THE PRODIGAL FATHER’S PLAN

Now understand this—The father has always known his Son would fail! And he has been devising a plan for his return. The younger son begins to walk home. He is preparing himself for what is about to happen—the Kezazah ceremony. He knows it will be bad. He rehearses his plan, what he will say to his Dad. He rehearses it over and over again. His plan rides on his Dad—taking him back as a hired hand. If the plan doesn’t work, things will get ugly. The clay pot will come out!

But the Father has also prepared a plan for their meeting. His plan—keep watch and meet his boy before he reaches the village. His plan is to protect his son from the wrath of the community. Look at the last half of verse 20. It says: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him.” Compassion for a son that broke his heart and wanted him dead!

What does the father do! [Put on Robe and Run] Verse 20, “ he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” What happens when he this Father runs? He humiliates himself in front of the whole village. He runs—A well respected member of the village would never run! Especially not after a pig herding boy that disrespected him and his family. It doesn’t happen! The father pulls up his long robes and exposes his legs! Again, this would never happen! The patriarch of a distinguished, wealthy, landowning family would never lower himself in such a way. The father has taken the form of a servant to reconcile with his son!

The father runs knowing in so doing he will deflect the attention of the community away from his ragged son to himself! He is keeping the Kezazah Ceremony the cutting off ceremony from happening. This is costly love. This is costly reckless grace! The Father in this story is the true prodigal! Prodigal means reckless. In this story the Father is prodigal or reckless in his demonstration of love and grace! The father humiliates himself so his son will not be humiliated!

The young son never saw this coming! This wasn’t part of his plan. He’s dumbfounded as his Dad falls on him showering him—him—with kisses. How can his Dad humiliate himself in such a way to save him from the wrath of the community especially after he’s wished him dead!

The young boy begins to cry! He is overcome with emotion! He doesn’t deserve what his father has done for him! Look at what the boy says in verse 21. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son!”

Notice he says the first half of what he has rehearsed. He doesn’t say the second half. He doesn’t ask his Dad to let him be a hired hand! Why? He wants to be his son again! He is through with trying to make it thru life on his own! He sees his self-sufficiency has gotten him nowhere! He’s a changed man! He surrenders his plan to save himself and let’s his father find him! He accepts being found! His Father’s costly prodigal love and grace has finally changed him! Their relationship is restored!!