Luke 15:11-32
One of the more compelling – and frankly depressing – trends that I encounter when providing biblical counsel to people trying to deal with addictions and other issues is the impact that a dysfunctional relationship with their father has had on their lives. It’s amazing to see the link between a child’s struggles and the way that they interact or have interacted with their dad, but it’s also not surprising. The role of a father in the life of a child is so critical yet we live in a world that at times seems wholly committed to not just minimizing that role but practically doing away with it.
Look at the entertainment industry. From TV shows to movies to commercials how often do we see dads cast as utter morons? Or abusers? Or just all-round bad guys? From a societal standpoint look where we are. The rise in gay marriage has made a way for children to be brought up in single sex homes where they may be taught that there’s no need for a father figure. And that mindset is celebrated and glorified. But there’s an even greater threat to the role of dad in the world today and that’s this. Too many fathers are ignoring their call to be the spiritual leader in the lives of their children. Jesus doesn’t hold a front and center presence in their lives and in their home and that’s a tragic oversight.
With that, too many dads are also living surrendered to sin, making it all the more difficult to be a guiding light to their kids. There are too many dads who leave home, are emotionally distant or, tragically, are abusive physically and or emotionally towards their children. To the other extreme, there are dads out there who are so mired in Christian legalism that they’ve oppressed their kids and taken from them practically any opportunity to experience life relying on God’s Word as an inerrant, always accessible guide for living. The Bible has been turned into a blunt force instrument that does nothing but rain down guilt and condemnation.
Dads everywhere need to understand one simple fact. As spiritual leaders in their homes they are to love and honor their wives, encourage their children and be a light that represents to the family the pure love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
In this week’s sermon message, we took a deep dive into the best known of Jesus’ parables, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The symbols in this parable are rich. Jesus uses the son to be a reflection of all us. We all make bad choices. We all have at times an overwhelming desire to satisfy our flesh over all else. The prodigal son is you and me and what he comes to learn in no time is that free will exercised without the guidance of a loving father will lead to a downfall. Big time. Remember Adam and Eve…
Meanwhile the father in the parable has a dual role. He sets the standard for how a Godly, earthly dad needs to react when one of his kids goes off the rails, but he also shows us the unwavering, unconditional love of our Heavenly Father and how that love can and will provide rescue from the darkest of rock bottoms. So long as we see the need to come home to Him.
We see in the parable how when the son wakes up to where his sin has brought him, wallowing in the mud unfed with a bunch of well-fed pigs. He realizes he needs to go back to his father, but he’s so convinced that his father will reject him over the extent of his sinful living that he puts together a flowery apology meant to win dad over.
So, what happens? The father sees his son coming from far off and he runs to him. He kisses him, weeps over him. And before the son can get even a part of the way through his apology, his father cuts him off and calls for a celebration. Because what was lost has been found and what was believed to be dead is alive.
Two things worth noting about the prodigal’s dad. When the prodigal needed him most, he was there. Present. At home. And with that, not only was he present, but loving and forgiving. He wasn’t concerned about where his boy had been, just that he was back where he belonged. He loved his boy without fear of consequence.
And so it is with our Father in Heaven. He leaves the ninety-nine for the one and when the one returns, there is more celebrating taking place in Heaven than we can imagine.
One last point though and this is the biggie. If you’re an earthly dad who wakes up each morning with the realization that, like the prodigal you’re wallowing in the mud of your sin, take a lesson from this brother. Go to your Father! Your Heavenly Father! He will welcome you back, forgive you, celebrate your return and restore you. He will give you the chance to be the man He calls you to be. No sin takes us out of the reach of Jesus’ grace and mercy, we just need to place ourselves back in the light of it.
Jesus’ desire is to restore even the most broken relationship and He’s faithful to do that.
We just need to come home.