Words of Life: An Enduring Legacyনমুনা

The prodigal’s prayer.

Of all the parables Jesus told, this is one of the best known. It’s the story of human life. Since time began, people have had a history of moving away from God and living life their own way. But when the realisation dawns that our lives are in a state of spiritual poverty, we begin to make our way back to our heavenly Father, and he is poised, looking and waiting for a sign of our return, and he runs towards us as we step towards him.

We try to say, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your child’, but he interrupts us with his joy at our homecoming. Our rags are exchanged for robes and slippers, and we are given the sign of belonging.

Each of us is that prodigal, whether we are the ones who left and went far away, or, like the elder brother, those who stayed but were still prodigal in our thinking and actions. Both sons are treated the same. One is given the symbols of sonship, and to the other the father says, ‘everything I have is yours’ (Luke 15:31 NIV), but both are invited to share the celebration of being reunited.

It is absolutely right that we recognise and articulate our sorrow and repentance to the Lord – ‘Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death’ (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV). Salvation is ours and we can approach our heavenly Father with confidence of his acceptance of both us and our prayers. Worthiness is not for us to determine – we are always unworthy approaching an omnipotent God – but worth is gifted to us at salvation. It is always unearned and undeserved, but it’s ours nevertheless.