From The Pastor’s Desk
The Parable of the Prodigal Son has been misnamed. Although the story does mention the son’s prodigal (lavish living) and the loss of his inheritance, the story stands tall referring to the Father’s unconditional love. Also, each and every person, place or thing within this story has a hidden meaning. The son represents us and the life that we have lived outside of God’s love. The Father is representative of the One True God that so loved us that He sent His True Son into the world that we might be reconciled back unto Him. The distant land to which the prodigal son traveled is the world of sin – A world that we all have known quite well. It is the world from which we came. The robe, the ring, the sandals and even the fatted calf, all represents how God wants to lavishly bless His creation. Finally, the story ends with a distinction between the older
brother and the returning/repentant brother who had sinned against the Father. Although that older son was obedient to the Father, his heart was one set on legalism not love. Again, this is a story about US and it is a story of God’s grace and mercy that He bestows upon every-one of his sons who return unto Him.
Pastor Wayne