PRODIGAL AND OTHERWISE

The famous Luke 15 parable of The Prodigal Son gets much comment and coverage. One detail of understanding is that ‘prodigal’ does not mean ‘rebellious’ or ‘a runaway.’ The word prodigal means ‘wastefully extravagant.’ Or another way to say it: wasteful… or an over indulged child.

Vince Antonucci, Las Vegas pastor writes, “I think one of the truths we discover in Jesus’ story (Luke 15) is that we have all rejected the love of our Father. Some of us run from home in outright rebellion. Others of us stay home and begin to think God owes us. We don’t need His grace because we deserve His love. We may even start wanting blessings from God more than we want a relationship with God.
The day Jesus told this parable there were sinners gathered around him, and there were religious people. The sinners easily found themselves in the story, realizing that like the younger son they had rejected God. The religious people didn’t find themselves in the story; they didn’t see themselves in the older brother. My guess is that is still true today, religious people struggle to see the ways they’ve rejected God.”
“Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” Jesus