Prodigal Son
- elizabethswinningw
- Jun 16, 2017
- 4 min read
“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.”
Luke 15:20
A story is told of a preacher who was riding on a train back in the days when trains were a popular means of transportation. The preacher had planned to use his travel time to study for his message on Sunday. However, the young man sitting in the seat next to him was visibly upset about something, so the pastor put down his Bible and said "Son, you seem troubled. Is there something I can do to help you?"
"Mister, may I tell you my story?" said the young man in response. "I had a terrible argument with my parents many years ago and I left home. As I left, I swore that I would never, ever come home again. I have not talked to my parents since that fateful day. But they are getting old now, and I realize that I have been such a fool. I want to see them again before they die.
"I wrote them a letter and asked them if I could come back home. In that letter I told them I would be on this particular train. The train tracks run right next to the edge of their property. So I asked my Mom and Dad to give me a sign that I could come home. I asked them if they were somehow willing to forgive me—somehow willing to take me back—to hang a white handkerchief on the old tree out there by the railroad tracks so I would know that I was welcome.
“If I see a white handkerchief in the tree, then I am going to get off when the train comes into the station. But if I don't see it there, I'm going to keep on riding. I don't know whether the handkerchief will be there or not. I want it to be there so badly—and I am so afraid it won’t be that I’m afraid to look."
Filled with compassion for the young man’s plight, the preacher said, "Son, when we get close to where that old tree is, you just close your eyes and I'll watch for you and I'll let you know what I see."
Just about a mile from where that tree was located, the young man closed his eyes, and the preacher sat there with a prayer in his heart, hoping that he would see at least a small white handkerchief hanging on that old tree by the railroad tracks. As the train rounded the bend, the preacher's eyes got wide. He shook the young man and exclaimed, “Open your eyes, son! Look!” Mom and dad had tied every pillow case, every sheet, every handkerchief, everything they had that was white from the top of that tree down to the bottom. It looked like a snow storm had hit!
Jesus told a similar story to the crowd who criticized him for eating with tax collectors and sinners—we call Jesus’ story the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In that time-honored story, there is a message that grows sweeter every time we read it:
· No matter how far away we’ve gone, we can come back.
· No matter how far out we’ve gone, we can come in.
· No matter how far down we’ve gone, we can come up.
And when we do, God will be waiting with open arms. God sent His one and only son to earth to show us how very much we are loved, which leaves us with only one choice to make: will you and I get off the train that takes us further and further from the Father’s embrace—or will we “keep on riding”?
Peace on the outside comes from knowing God on the inside.
~~Anonymous
A Question to Ponder: God sent His one and only son to earth to show us how very much we are loved. Which leaves us with only one choice to make: will you and I get off the train that takes us further and further from the Father’s embrace—or will we “keep on riding”? Do you really believe God has forgiven your sin, your disobedience, and your rebellion—that he is waiting with arms open to welcome you home? Or are you still trying to earn his love and forgiveness?
A Prayer to Offer: Father, it was said that the Prodigal Son “came to his senses.” Help me to wake up and see myself as I really am—a sinner in need of your mercy and grace. Set me free from the illusion of trying to be perfect so that I might become the person you created me to be. Help me not to chase after an imaginary life, but to find satisfaction in the good life you have given me. Turn me away from self-rejection so that I might see that your arms are ready to welcome me when I repent and begin the long journey home. God of the lost, the least, and all who long for home, when I wander from your ways and waste the gifts you have given me, welcome me back, I pray, so that I may celebrate and rejoice in your presence forever; through Jesus Christ your beloved Son. Amen
An Action Step to Take: Each of us has areas of rebellion in us—and each of us needs to return to the Father’s loving embrace each day. Spend some time meditating on God’s great love for you, enjoying the fellowship and favor of the One who welcomes you home with open arms, no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done.
Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Psalm 32:1
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