The parable of the Prodigal Son is an inspirational story to many of us, who never knew our fathers. It gives us a feeling of security desiring deeply in our soul a father such as this one from the parable our Lord YAHSHUA told to the disciples. The love of this father covers the story with hope. Hope not seen through the earthly fathers today for their lack of commitment to their children. The perfect love expressed in this story, gives us the certainty that this Father is no one else but our heavenly Father. Just as the young son of the parable, we all have left Him for the love of the world. “Our heavenly Father is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving kindness; He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge; He has not dealt with us after our iniquities; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Ps. 103: 8-12) The prohibited fruit eaten by our forefathers represent the world and its temptations. Our Creator gave instructions how to live, but we fell into the world’s temptation, ignoring His instructions. In spite of it, He provided a plan of redemption to save us from His judgment.
As the young man of the story, little do we know what waits for us at the end of our adventure into the world’s life style. Our heavenly Father knowing all, never gives up on us. He still waits for those who continue in the world. Even though having all we need, we find it not to be enough to satisfy our fleshy desires. We want more having to do with all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These do not come from the father, but are from the world (I John 2:16). The young man from the story lived to satisfy the flesh. He followed his desires without measuring the consequences they brought him. He left home with a packet full of money, hoping to satisfy his dreams. Not too long, he was surrendered with friends to waste his inheritance with him; life was fun for a while until all was gone, and his friends with it. Realizing where he had arrived to, he had a change of heart. He had been shaken up from his sleep to the reality, when he found himself sharing pigs’ food, due to a famine in the land. That distant land was no longer a place he longed for, to satisfy his fleshly desires, but a place that had nothing to offer him, but hogs’ food. Submerged in that reality, he made a decision that changed his life. He realized that the hog’s carob pods he was feeding self were not what he intended and purposed for his life. Then he came to himself and said, “How many hired servants of my father have enough food, but I am perishing here of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to Him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants” (Luke 15:11-24).
The father who never gave up on his son, as a matter of fact, while he was still a long way off, saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness and he ran and embraced and kissed him (vs.20). There was no discussion in that atmosphere, there was no why. Only forgiveness with the reward of receiving him back as his son with all its privileges. He was dressed with the best robe, and given him a ring, and sandals; they celebrated his return with the [wheat-fattened calf]. Because, he said, this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to revel and feast and make merry (vs. 22-24). YAHSHUA said, even so, I tell you, there is joy among and in the presence of the angels of God over one wicked person who repents. (Luke 15:10).
