In Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, it’s important to notice the father’s response: “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. 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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate’ Luke 15: 22-23.
Put on the Garment of Praise!
The prodigal’s father is like your heavenly Father. No matter what I’ve done or how often I do it, I can go home to God; He wraps me in his love. He gives me his best and says, “All is forgiven! Go get the robe. Go get the shoes. Let’s have a feast! My child has returned to me.” When we put on the robe or what I call the garment of praise, God does everything for us on a generous and lavish scale and we should praise Him. He is a prodigal God--reckless in His love for us.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3
I was the prodigal son once, and now I find myself the prodigal father. As a young man, I walked a fine line between this world and heaven - parties in college, the Playboy Club and promiscuous relationships were all part of my early years of life. I'm sure my parents must have wanted to disown me. But they always welcomed me home. And now, I'm a father with the understanding of what it's like to be the son. How will I welcome home my transgender child?
Who really is the Parodical?
The joy at the dramatic return of the younger son in no way means that the elder son was less loved, less appreciated, or less favored. The father does not compare the two sons. He loves them both with a complete love and expresses that love according to their individual journeys. He knows them both intimately. He understands their highly unique gifts and shortcomings. He sees with love the passion of his younger son even when it is not regulated by obedience. As a Prodigal God, He has the same love. He sees the obedience of the elder son even when it is not vitalized by passion. With the younger son, there are no thoughts of better or worse, more or less, just as there are no measuring sticks with the elder son. The father responds to both according to their uniqueness.
We also see that the older brother is much like his younger brother trying to be his own Savior and Lord. The older has his own self-imposed standard of morality which is not the same as truly knowing and following Jesus. It comes down to no matter the approach, we can all be distant from God if He isn’t in our hearts.
Train Up the Child
Like the father in the parable, we need to be role models. I have always believed strongly in the verse..
"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 "Will not depart from it!" That is a strong promise made by God. So why do I question His ability when it comes to parenting my family? My parents didn't. He had me train up my children even when I didn't know what I was doing, and now I have to have faith that they will not depart from it. If we choose, we can all come home to celebration - not condemnation. And God wants us to join him in celebration as I give him my praise. It's time to have a party and celebrate who Jesus is--a loving and forgiving God!
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Song - Prodigal by Sidewalk Prophets- Listen to song
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