Just a Minute Devotional #41
Jesus, the Prodigal Son?
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (1 John 3:1, NIV)
The word “prodigal” is not frequently used unless one talks about the infamous “prodigal son” in the Bible. Jesus told this story through parables. Read (Luke 15:11–32, NIV)
The definition of prodigal has both a negative and a positive meaning. The positive one is having or giving something on a lavish scale.
Does Jesus fit the second definition? Did He leave His Father and becoming one of us?
His exorbitant gift showed us God personally, like a papa, so we call Him Abba Father. He also showed us the nurturing mother, like a hen who wants to gather her chicks under her protective wing.
I know of no other god who has done this. Do you not think this is extravagant?
He is our perfect parent, the lover of our soul, the protector, and the provider. He is the living water, the way, the truth, and the light. He truly is the Supreme Being, but He is also the righteous Prodigal Son who left His throne in glory to generously give us a gift we did not deserve.
Jesus lavished on us the ultimate gift of His love. Can we call Him Prodigal?
Prayer:
Thank you, Abba, for your lavish gift of love. Amen.
