The Father's Menu
Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh
Saturday, September 7, 2024
THE PRODIGAL SON
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:20-24
Main Text: MAIN TEXT: Luke 15:11-32
The story of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates the mercy and grace that fathers show to their sons who repent after rebelling. It teaches us that when a son realizes his mistake and returns with a repentant heart, it is wise and good for him to apologize and seek restoration. Unfortunately, many sons, after rebelling, never return to apologize; instead, they choose to continue suffering in their poor decisions, much like the prodigal son who initially lived among the swine. This is not God's will. Jesus uses this parable to emphasize that when we fall from grace, the right response is to humbly return and make amends, experiencing the forgiveness and restoration that God is eager to provide.
The prodigal son brought further dishonor to his family when he demanded and cashed in his share of the inheritance. In those days, a father had rights to the entire inheritance, which included not only money but also land, livestock, and other family assets. Even if a son was given responsibility for his share, the father would still receive the profits from it while he was alive. What the younger son did was unthinkable to the Jewish people of that time. By cashing in his share of the inheritance, he essentially liquidated a third of the family's wealth, resulting in a significant loss of profits for his father. This act of selfishness and disregard for family honor would have been seen as a grave insult and a profound betrayal, emphasizing the depth of his rebellion and the extent of his disrespect.
In his desolate state, the prodigal son came to his senses and realized that his father had more than enough food for him to survive. Recognizing his dire situation, the son decided to return home, intending to ask his father to hire him as a servant. He believed he no longer deserved to be called a son due to his reckless rebellion and squandered inheritance. However, when the father saw his son returning from a distance, he did the unthinkable—he ran to meet his son, filled with ecstatic joy and a heart full of compassion. Instead of rejecting or punishing him, the father embraced him and celebrated his return, demonstrating unconditional love and forgiveness (Luke 15:17-20).
In the cultural context of the time, it was considered undignified for older men to run, but the father in the parable disregarded this cultural norm out of his immense love and joy. He ran to meet his son, embraced him, and kissed him. The father then bestowed upon his son three significant gifts: The Best Robe: Reserved for honored guests, symbolizing the son's restored honor and status within the family. A Ring: Signifying authority and a restoration of the son's position in the family, symbolizing his full reinstatement. Sandals for His Feet: A mark of distinction, as servants did not wear sandals, indicating that the son was once again regarded with honor. This act underscored the father's joy and the magnitude of the son's return, emphasizing that repentance leads to total restoration and reconciliation with the Father.
Confession
I declare, I have a good relationship with my Father and I am blessed and fruitful in my affairs. Amen.
Further Reading
Col 3:21 “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
1 Kings 15:11 “And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father.”
Read through the Bible in 1 year: Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 Psalm 51:1-19 Proverbs 22:24-25
Read through the Bible in 2 years: 2 Chr 19-20 & Ps 64
