The NIV 365 Day Devotional
The Prodigal Son
Jesus’ original audience gasped when he told about a punk kid who dared ask for his inheritance early. Such a request in that culture was scandalous. It was like saying, “Pops, I wish you’d hurry up and die already, so I could get what’s coming to me!”
Consenting to such a request meant everybody suffered. There was social shame and economic hardship. The ancients didn’t have stocks or mutual funds. They couldn’t just run down to the bank and cash in a CD. Wealth was tied up in real estate and herds. So giving a self-absorbed boy his share of the estate early meant watching him sell off a big chunk of the family farm, probably at far less than market value.
With his money belt crammed full, the cocky young man promptly hit the road. He was off to see the world, to find himself, or perhaps to lose himself in a blur of “wild living” (Lk 15:13).
Those who don’t know the story at least know human nature. We don’t need a stack of receipts to figure out where all the money went. The older brother even seemed to think there were “prostitutes” involved (15:30).
Of course, once his nest egg was gone, “he began to be in need” (15:14). Being broke does have a way of breaking us. Sure enough, while this kosher Jew was slopping around in a very un-kosher pigsty, he “came to his senses” (15:17).
I’ll go home, he thought. I’ll say, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants” (15:18–19). That’s it, I’ll work my way back into his good graces.
Before he reached the driveway, however, his dad came flying out the front door, immediately calling for a party. He bear-hugged his son so hard, the boy couldn’t deliver his speech. “This son of mine was dead and is alive again,” the beaming father exulted. “He was lost and is found” (15:24).
Maybe we should ask some questions about this familiar word prodigal. Dictionaries use phrases like reckless extravagance, profusely liberal, giving abundantly. So who’s the real prodigal in this story? What kind of father heaps reckless extravagance on such a foolish kid? Our Father does! Unconditional forgiveness. Unearned favor. Extravagant love. It’ll make you never want to leave home.
Taken from the NIV Lucado Encouraging Word Bible.