Unlimited SaviorSample

Prodigal means extravagant, even to the point of wastefulness. Most people think that the Parable of the Prodigal Son is about the younger son who was prodigal with his Father’s gifts. But it’s not about him.

Some people think that the parable is about the older son who appears in the second half of the story. It’s not. Yes, the older son was prodigal with his hard work. But it’s not about him. The main character in the parable is the Father.

It’s the father who’s the greatest prodigal, giving half of everything he owns to his younger son in the first place. He didn’t have to do it. He’s prodigal even to the point of wastefulness! Those who heard this story surely shook their heads in disapproval at the father!

It is the Father who is the greatest prodigal, in his love and forgiving mercy towards his wayward child. And then, scandalously, the Father throws the biggest, noisiest party ever, so that the whole neighborhood would know that there is joy in this home because his son has returned!

Oh yes, this parable has the expansive, unbounded, extravagant love of the Father written all over it. It really is the Parable of the Prodigal Father. Are you “prodigal” (lavishly extravagant) with the love and grace of God, or are you miserly and mean-spirited with others? Pray that the Spirit of God reveals areas in your life where you need to be more generous to others with the grace of God.