AHA: The God Moment That Changes Everything

When you tried to patch things up, did you try it your way or God’s way?

No, he ran to his son. When the older brother was in the field, the father left the celebration and went out to him. He engaged his son directly. What does this tell us about God? God longs for a relationship with His children.

This kind of claim made no mention of the father’s provision in his life. Like the Prodigal, the older brother had lived a life fully dependent on his father. But by saying this, he was unwilling even to acknowledge his father’s generosity.

“All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.” What was he saying here? He was saying, “Look what I deserve. I’ve been good. I’ve followed the rules. I’ve done what you’ve asked me to. I deserve your blessing. I’ve earned it.”

While the older brother claims, “I’ve never disobeyed,” the younger brother says, “I am not worthy.” One brother appeals to his own merit. The other comes asking for mercy. One brother sulks in frustration; the other celebrates in joy.

This is the problem with confidence in our own goodness. We begin to believe we’re going to earn something from the Father. But the Father’s house is not a house of merit; it is a house of mercy.

But even more shocking than the son’s blatant disrespect and coldhearted selfishness is the undeserved grace and extravagant love the father showed when his son returned. The way Jesus described the grace and love of the father was scandalous.

We expect God to be an angry father who demands justice, but through Jesus, He gives us love and grace when we don’t deserve it. Ultimately, the story in Luke 15 isn’t about two sons who disobey. It is about a Father who loves His children unconditionally.

The Prodigal Son, like Tiger Woods, had a lot of work to do to atone for his sins. At the very least, that boy was going to be shoveling excrement until he paid his father back—with interest. We read the son’s action: “So he got up and went to his father …” But what action would the father take? A spirit of defeatism may be reasonable if it all dep