Luke 15:11-13 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
Stories leave indelible memories in the mind of the listeners. Hence Jesus brought forth the stupendous truth about the unfailing love of God the Father through this parable. The prodigal squandered his inheritance in wasteful extravagance and immoral lifestyle. Under the law, the parents of a rebellious, gluttonous or drunkard would hand over their son into the hands of the elders of the town (Deuteronomy 21:18-21). “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death (vs 20-21b). The listeners of this story understood the moral as they were fully aware of the norms under the Mosaic Law. The prodigal would have been the gossip of the town. The father of the prodigal would have been showered with slander and malign every time he stepped out of the house. Travelers would have brought news about the prodigal’s wayward wild living and wickedness. The father would have bleeding in his heart for his son but the belittling bloodthirsty villagers would have been waiting to stone the son if he ever came back.
The father did not give room for the ruthless judgment of the elders of the town when the repentant prodigal returned. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him (Luke 15:20). He put a robe to cover the son’s nakedness, ring to reiterate his acceptance into the family and sandals on his feet to reinstate the rights and authority. It would have been very difficult for a human father to show unconditional love without reprimanding the prodigal who brought shame and stigma to the family. But the core truth of this story is the unconditional compassion of our heavenly father towards us (the rebellious sinners).
The story of God’s unconditional love:
1. Robe: Jesus gives us the garment of salvation and the robe of righteousness. Garment is the inner clothing to cover our shame but robe is the outer coat of honour. God’s grace clothed us with salvation and His mercy decked us with the luxurious robe of righteousness.
2. Ring: Jesus gives us the ring of authority when He accepts us as His son/daughter. I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD Almighty” (Haggai 2:23).
3. Rights: Footwear denotes rights and privileges in the Jewish culture (Ruth 4:7-8). He restores the rights, privileges and peace as a sign of acceptance.
God doesn’t accept a repentant prodigal as a slave but as His dear son.
Luke 15:24 or this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Prayer: Thank you dear Jesus for clothing me with the robe of honour, accepting me back with the ring of authority and restoring my rights, privileges and authority. Amen.
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