Even adapted to our 21st Century time frame, the story of the return of the prodigal son staggers the imagination. Having endured the scandal of his younger son’s outrageous demand, having read all the humiliating Facebook and twitter and TikTok posts while he was away, having watched his son stoop to the lowest of the low, knowing the entire world has been watching, and – the father eagerly forgives his son, welcomes him back home, throws a party, celebrating his re-united family. Incredible! Unimaginable!
So, what was Jesus trying to do with this now-famous story? And who was his principal audience? Of course, that would be the religious rulers who were hot under the collar with his teachings. A secondary audience was the massive crowd, eager to hear what Jesus had to say because it seemed to them to be the best news ever! Jesus intended that his story be audacious, eye-popping. As for the first audience, Scripture doesn’t record their response to the story (they must have been tearing their hair out listening to this preposterous tale!). The response of the larger crowd, too, is not recorded, but no doubt they listened in wide-awed awe of that father. More precisely, at the undiminished, unwavering love he held for his precious, wayward son. And at his ability, yes, even his great desire, to forgive his son! No sermonizing, no lectures, no finger-pointing, no conditions set out for his return – open-armed, open-hearted forgiveness! Their hearts and their heads must have been spinning to hear of such a thing – a thing never before heard!
The bottom line is that the father in the story is God the Father. The story exquisitely speaks of a kind of love one has never heard of before. The story’s happy ending (not the sad bit about the older brother) is tender enough to melt the toughest heart. Each time this scene is acted on stage, the reaction is the same – stunned silence! The lengthy and repeated embraces, the tearful laughter, the interrupted confession, the scurrying of servants to bring out the best party clothes, is over-the-top emotion-laden! I’ve got a secret. That scene is played out over and over again to this very day. Sinners repeatedly run into a wall of love. Repentant ones repeatedly find their guilt and shame washed away. That love of the Father still bypasses all understanding. Who has ever heard of such a thing??
