Caely Judy is passionate about teaching the next generation about Christ. With a degree in psychology and a minor in art, she has worked with children for several years. She is an artist who uses her work to spread joy and hope.
In Luke 15, we are given a beautiful example of Christs love for his children through the parable of the prodigal son. If you’re not familiar, I encourage you to read through the whole chapter.
We see the parable begin in verses 11-13 with a son who asks his father for his inheritance early and goes through it quickly and carelessly. After realizing this, he admits to himself that he was foolish, and decides to come back to his father. Knowing he does not deserve his help; he decides to beg him to merely be treated as a servant. When the son returns to his father, he is surprised at the welcome he receives. Verse 24 says, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
What is beautiful about this story is that we can all relate to the prodigal son in some form. Maybe you were once a Christian who strayed from your faith and were welcomed back to the Father with open arms. Perhaps you can see in your walk where you know what God has called us to do, and yet you still struggle with sin. In both examples, our Heavenly Father isn’t simply waiting for our return to chastise us and keep us at arm’s length. He celebrates all his children returning to Him again.
Further into Luke 15 we see the perspective of the other brother who remained at home, faithfully serving him in the years the prodigal son had been absent. Verse 29 says, “but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.”
Maybe you can relate to the brother in this situation. If you’ve ever had a sibling misbehave, this can be a similar feeling. You may question how your parents could treat them equally to you, although you have behaved far better than they have. It may not make sense in the moment, but as you get older you begin to understand the last few verses in the chapter:
And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It is fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he is lost, and is found.’
– Luke 15:31-32
Every time someone decides to give their life to Christ, it is a beautiful moment. But the contrasting picture we see here is that God does not give up on any of His children, no matter how far they may seem.
