Who was really the prodigal?

But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it.

 'Let's have a feast and celebrate.

'For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'

So they began to celebrate.

                                          -- Luke 15:22-24

As the prodigal son was restored to fellowship with his father, so we are restored to fellowship with God our Father through the work of Jesus Christ at the cross.

The father orders the servants to, quickly, bring the 'best robe' for him, to place a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Then he orders them to kill the fattened calf and prepare a celebration.

What a contrast! From a lowly hungry man begging for scraps, he is given dignity, honor and full acceptance.

He becomes the guest of honor.

We have the same contrast. We were sinners, enemies of God, condemned, objects of God's wrath.

But now we have also been restored to God's family.

We have been clothed in the righteousness of God's Son, Jesus, and have been given status as an heir of God.

It's a miracle we could never have imagined -


How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!
         -- 1 John 3:1

We always refer to this story as the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Prodigal means exceedingly, recklessly wasteful. And that does describe the son, who squandered all his wealth.

But prodigal can also mean lavish and abundant.

Probably the neighbors thought the father was wasteful with his love - he threw it away on his worthless son!


So in that case, maybe the story should be called the Parable of the Prodigal Father!

Because our Father is lavish with abundant love as He casts His care upon us, His needy, unworthy children!