Thursday, March 28
What does the word “Prodigal” mean? The basic meaning is: “wasteful” (i.e. wasting money) and from Latin: “forth” (pro-) and “to drive” (agere). It can be described as a person who wastes money with reckless abandon, or “One who drives forth his money.” This is what the younger son does in this story. Jesus tells the parable of the lost son, exemplifying the theme of being lost (lost in sin) and then being found (coming back to God).
In summary: Younger son asks the father for half of all he owns now before his father dies. His father agrees; the son goes away and squanders or wastes his property on loose living; son falls into poverty. Prodigal son returns home to his father, who, rather than scolding the son, celebrates his return with great joy and gladness. The younger son was not dead but was alive.
The oldest son questioned his father’s joyous reaction because his brother wasted his share of the property. Father said: “I have you here but your brother was not dead and has returned. He is my son just as you are.”
Two quick lessons can be learned here. Lesson 1: Regardless of how we misuse freedom, the best course of action is to return to God and seek his forgiveness. Lesson 2: God does not begrudge what we have done. God does not take us back reluctantly. We humans are all plagued with faulty issues and a free will. But it is how we deal with our failings that matter.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we humbly ask you to accept us back into your grace and forgive us of our sins. We ask this in Jesus name claiming the promise of a new covenant: “Ask and it shall be forgiven.” Amen.
Gary Lewis