Jesus was known to be the most colourful storyteller, sharing and creating parables that painted a beautiful picture of truth and grace in various ways.
One of Jesus's more popular parables is the parable of the lost son shared in Luke 15:11-32. Sadly, so many believers have taken this story out of context or have misunderstood the true essence of it. As a result, we miss out on some powerful and captivating truths about the love of God.
There is too much emphasis on just one character -- the son who ran away from home. Little do many Christians know, there is more to the story than meets the eye. Here are three areas where we often miss out on in understanding the story of the lost son.
The loving father is the protagonist.
The main character of the story is not the son who squandered the wealth of his rich and loving father, but the father who gave his son the freedom to leave and return, being unswayed in love by his son's arrogance and stupidity.
In our lives, we are not the main character. God is always in charge and leading the plot for us because it is His love and grace that sustain and bless us.
There are two prodigal sons.
The story starts in Luke 15:11, which says, "Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons.'" Although one ran off with his father's money and squandered his father's wealth, he was not the only one lost. The son who stayed was just as lost as his brother who left, being lost in the belief that he did not deserve nor had the right to a banquet or to his father's wealth.
The church is not just full of lost sons who have run away from God, but also of lost sons who are trying to earn their father's love and favour when it is already lavished upon them.
The emphasis is redemption.
The emphasis is not on the mistakes of the sons, but on the father's heart and the redemption that both sons experienced through their father's love. In the same way, God is not interested in our failures and mistakes.
Hebrews 8:12 says, "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." When we are faithful and repent our sins and turn to the love of the Father, He will remember our mistakes no more.
