This past summer I sat in a seminar with Jennifer Roback Morse leading to a discussion afterwards on parents leaving their children and then having to return.
What's your take on the Prodigal Parent?
Yes, mother, this one is to you...
For those who don't know the story of the prodigal son, you can find it here.
There are many points in the parable, but the easiest read is the reception in the return for the son. Should there not then be a reception at the return for the mother?
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Yes, mother, this one is to you. Ian am I the rebellious son,(mother), lost and far from God in this story?
Of course, the awesome message of this parable is that God is patient and gracious with all of His children. He is willing to welcome each of us home into His loving and forgiving arms.
Many parables were taught by Jesus and most of the time even his disciples had a hard time understanding unless Jesus broke it down for them.
My favorite part of studying scriptures is parables and the invocation of thought and retrospect. Thank you Ian this one is very relevant.
The younger brother displayed a rebellious and proud disregard for his father's authority. Then he squandered away the inheritance that he had demanded to receive early. Starving he is sent to feed pigs (unclean animals) and all the while is so hungry he longed for the pig’s food. How low can you possibly go? A rebellious son, and lost from God.
The father is GOD who patiently waits with loving compassion. He offers us everything in his kingdom, restoring full relationship with joyful celebration. He doesn't even dwell on our past waywardness.
The older son can be compared to the Pharisees, self-righteous, bitter and resentful. He can't bring himself to forgive his younger brother. He is blind to the treasure he freely enjoys in the constant relationship with the father.
Who are you in this story?
Are you a prodigal, a Pharisee or a servant?
Are you the rebellious son, lost and far from God? – OK this is me - I can not tell you how sorry I am that I let you down and left you all those years. I fed the pigs and I ate the pig’s food.
Are you the self-righteous Pharisee, no longer capable of rejoicing when a sinner returns to God?
Maybe you've hit rock-bottom, come to your senses and decided to run to God's open arms of compassion and mercy?
Or are you one of the servants in the household, rejoicing with the father when a lost son finds his way home?
It is hard for anyone to judge themselves, therefore I do not know who I would be in this story.
As the story is reversed with a prodigal parent returning, I would hope that I was the rejoicing father rather than the servant.
It is a hard path to take, but it would be the only one worth taking.
Robo Form somehow inserted the same post as before. OOPS
Your pureness of heart my dear son is the greatest miracle of my life.
Here is a thought my year of return is 2009. The importance of the number in 9 in scripture comes down to the number of finality or judgment. Check it out http://philologos.org/__eb-nis/nine.htm.
Yet you remain steadfast in the spirit and harbor no judgment. I am truly honored to be your Mother. I thank the Lord for answering my many prayers. Most importantly, I find comfort in the knowledge that my mistake is one you will not repeat. Praise the Lord.
I love you. Joyce
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