Do You Know Your Father?

In Luke chapter 15 verses 11 to 32, the story of the Prodical son as it is known has spawned many other stories, many sermons and many bible studies over the centuries.

I was thinking about it today, not so much about the sons or their actions. I was thinking about how little they knew of their own father.

You see the oldest son saw his father as a task master, a tyrant who loved nothing better then to take the fun out of life (vese 29-30).

He seemed to figure the best way to get through this life was to do as you were told and obey even when you did not want to do it and make sure things are just right down to the last nickel. To be intolerant and waiting for the day when dad would kick the bucket so he could finally enjoy life.

The younger son saw his father as someone who could be coerced (verse 12) and manipulated (verses 17-19). He had a plan to get things his way and he figured he knew how to get on his father's good side. He got his inheritance and had a jolly good time with it and then he figured he could still go home again and possibly soften up dear old dad.

Neither son really knew their father. They did not comprehend that he loved them. It did not matter what they did or how they lived, they were both still loved by their father, no matter what.

Verse 30 and 31 show us that this father loved them and wanted them to have everything. There were no conditions attached, he was a man overjoyed that his sons were both alive and there in his presence.

— Kareen
Sat, Mar 25^th, 2006 · 4:30pm ↑

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