Why Was the Prodigal Good Enough?
Why was the prodigal good enough is on the table to today. The son said sorry very well actually. Is that the point?
I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“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.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate
The story shows clearly that the son was already good enough in the father’s eyes before he spoke to say he was sorry.
We all agree that this is a compelling story. Lets ask again
Why was the Prodigal Good Enough?
For the Father, it was enough that the son came home.
The father says
24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
The father does not say that the son gave a good apology.
He said he is alive. God loves us so. When was the son not good enough? Every story has its limits. but I think it is fair to say the father always loved his son though he decided to leave.
The son was always good enough. This is our God. I need the son to make a good apology, and then be in the dog house for a few months.
God loved him with the pigs. He surely wanted the son to come home. We are challenged to ask “who is the father?”
The Father’s love goes beyond us. We cannot understand God’s love. We can only revel in it. God loves us when we are with the pigs. Ah, he even loves us when living wild with his money.
The older son is quite reasonable. However, note what the father says:
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
The Father had already split the inheritance, so everything that is left belongs to the older son. The prodigal is penniless and has no assets. Yet, we know that the prodigal will be OK.
All the prodigal has is his father’s love. The prodigal just needed to come home. Sure, the son was right to apologize. However, the son was always good enough for the father. The father only willed that he lived.
Here is our God. He loves us just the way we are. God never made garbage. He made each of us something he loves.
