We have all heard about the story of the prodigal son. The word “prodigal” means lavish or wasteful. The word prodigal is the opposite of stingy/careful. But in this story, the real hero is the Father who is lavish in his love.
The story is about the Prodigal Father who lavishly loves his children. This story is about our Daddy God.
Luke 15 “11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living….. “When he came to his senses….he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “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. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’”
The Dad is never concerned about his own money at all. He is only concerned about the well-being of his kids. This is why he gives the inheritance to his son without any questions. He gives the son all the freedom to spend the money. The son thinks that his Dad may treat him like a servant when he returns home. But look at the reaction of the Dad. He never even asks anything about the money. He does not rebuke him! He just runs to embrace his son! He is so madly in love with his son! He has a party with the best food and gives him the best robe & ring! The Dad is giving the inheritance once again! He is being lavish all over again. It’s because the Dad does not know anything else other just pouring out His lavish love!! He only knows to give & give again and keep on giving!
But look at the elder son who is legalistically slaving away being the “good boy” trying to earn the Dad’s favor and he completely misses out on the love of His father.
The Dad has to remind him that “Everything I have is yours”.
I just want to look at the heart of Daddy God. He is so lavish – He dies through Jesus Christ to give His inheritance for us! Even when we squander everything and waste it. He still wants to give lavishly again! Even when we try to attain His blessings by our legalistic efforts, He still says that EVERYTHING HE HAS is OURS !
This Daddy only knows one thing – to LOVE US by giving up everything for His kids! We are His darling kids whom He loves forever. Nothing can stop His love – not our behavior or anything! His love endures forever!
Zephaniah 3:17 “He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.””
God is not serious, but a fun-loving Dad!
Have you been to Christian meetings where they are serious. Some try to mourn, fast and cry over their sins because they are trying to be close to God, according to this verse below:
James 4:8-9 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.”
But the truth is that James wrote this to the 12 tribes of Israel who were under the great tribulation before the 2nd coming of Christ. He was telling the Jews to stop eating, drinking and partying in Jerusalem because it was going to be destroyed in 70AD. Under the old covenant, there was great fear in God’s presence because the Law of Moses imputed sins.
Hebrews 12:18,21-23 NLT “You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom….Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.” No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in ajoyful gathering … to the spirits of the righteous ones … who have been made perfect”
But in 70AD, God made a New Covenant where there is great joy and happiness in God’s presence because He lives in us and has made us righteous and perfect in the New Jerusalem. There’s a party of feasting and rejoicing here in the New Jerusalem!
Isaiah 25 “On this mountain the Lord Almighty will preparea feast of rich food for all peoples,”
The reason we fear God so much is because we think of Him as a serious old man seated on a distant throne, who needs to be pleased by our faith and actions. God is neither old nor serious. He is called “Ancient of days” because He has no age, without beginning or end! His appearance of “white hair” in the Bible is not because He is old and grumpy, but because it’s a symbol of perfect love and wisdom. He is young and vibrant, and He loves you like a little child! God is not serious, but He has great joy and fun with you. In Zephaniah 3:17, God rejoices by singing to you. Just imagine Him singing to you about how wonderful you are and how much He loves you! He is fun, easy-going and the coolest person we can ever know.
He was not stingy, but He gave His best gift to us, by giving up Himself. When Daddy/Jesus came to the world, He found all of us and with great joy, He gave up everything on the cross for the joy of saving us!
Hebrews 12:2 “who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame”
Jesus went to the cross with great joy because He knew that you are His brother or sister. He made us holy and sanctified and is proud to say that we are His family. Daddy went to the cross because we are His children!
He did not do it half-heartedly. If Daddy went to the cross with such joy, then you can imagine how happy He is with you now that He lives in you! Daddy God is not mad at you. He is madly in love with you!
Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross for the sins of the world. He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven.
Everyone who believes in Jesus apart from their own works, will be saved and receive the forgiveness of sins, the righteousness of God and eternal life.
Mathew Simon 