Let me start with some trivia. You’re all probably familiar with the parable of The Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11–32, right? Well, the term “prodigal” is actually not found in the text of the Gospel itself. Based on google research, I learned that this term is a later title that became attached to the parable over centuries. In fact, none of Jesus’ parables originally had titles. The headings we see in modern Bibles were added later by editors to help readers navigate the text.
So much for trivia. But I want to reflect on that word “prodigal”. In this story, our attention of course is drawn toward the younger son who demands for his inheritance, runs away and wastes his inheritance in a lavish and foolish lifestyle.
The word prodigal means wasteful or extravagant — someone who squanders what he has been given. The gospel tells us that this son “squandered his property in reckless living.” That is why he is referred to as the prodigal son. He took the gifts of the father and used them in ways that carried him farther and farther from home.
Some of us might recognize ourselves in that pattern. God gives us blessings, opportunities, and freedom. Many times, like the prodigal son in the story, we even ask God for these blessings. And then we go and use these blessings carelessly, or even in ways that pull us away from Him. Might we, also, be prodigal children who waste and consume God’s blessings in ways that do not honor Him?
Speaking of wastefulness, if we go back to the parable, we might say that the father is also prodigal in the extravagantly wasteful way. His mercy is extravagant. While the son is still far away, the father runs to him, embraces him, gives him a ring and a robe, restores him as a son, and throws a lavish party for him. The father is prodigal not in wasting wealth, but in lavishing grace.
When Jesus gave this parable, we’re not surprised that He shows us what God the Father is like. A prodigal father, who gives us more than we need, and more than we deserve. That’s what grace means. Giving more than we need, more than we deserve.
Let’s go back to the parable, because we see another way that mercy has been wasted.
The older son never left home. He worked faithfully. He obeyed. But when his brother returned and was welcomed with so much undeserved joy, he became angry and refused to enter the celebration. The father had to go out and plead with him. “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.”
Here we observe the tragedy. Although the older son had been with the father all along it seems that he never seemed to enjoy the relationship. He served, but without joy. He obeyed, but without sharing the father’s heart. He didn’t seem to be concerned about the loss of his brother the way his father was concerned.
In that moment we realize that the kindness of the Father can be wasted in more than one way. It can be wasted by rebellion, like the younger son — receiving God’s gifts and running away from Him. But it can also be wasted by resentment, like the older son — remaining close to God outwardly but refusing to rejoice in His grace and sharing in His compassion for the lost.
My friends, let us examine our lives in this light. We have repented and believed in the gospel, and we have been granted eternal life by the blood of Jesus who pays for our sins. This is the best lavish blessing we will ever receive from God.
Yet, we are not content with this; oftentimes we behave and act as if this as not the most important thing in our lives. We don’t pray for eternal blessings. Instead our minds and hearts are focused on all those things in our wish list that the world and the flesh tells us matter more. And we find ourselves anxious, resentful, depressed, lacking in joy. And this becomes the object of our prayers, like the son demanding his inheritance and does not care to live a life with his father.
Sadly, often times, the good news about the kingdom of God is packaged as a promise of a better life in this world, as if the promise of eternal life which we receive by God’s grace has no effect as our source of joy and hope. It’s as if God’s mercy is wasted on us.
I remind myself, and sometimes my friends, “Mabuti nga pinatawad ka.”
Speaking of the good news, there is still another way mercy can be wasted: when we receive God’s mercy but do not share the Father’s concern for those who are still far away.
Let’s go back to the parable. The father longed for the return of the lost son. His heart was always turned outward, watching, waiting, hoping. But the older brother seemed unconcerned that his brother was lost. There is no sign that he ever went looking for him or longed for his return. He lived in the father’s house, but he did not share the father’s mission of restoring the lost.
Fast forward to us today. If God’s prodigal mercy has reached us, are we helping it reach others? God’s mercy is never wasted on His side. The father runs to the returning son, and he also goes out to plead with the resentful one. The mercy of God keeps reaching out.
But the real question the parable leaves us with is this: What are we doing with the mercy we have received?
Does it lead us to gratitude? And to hope? Does it draw us to follow Jesus and to serve Him?
Does it soften our hearts toward others? Does it draw us deeper into the joy of the Father — and into the Father’s longing to bring other sons and daughters home?
You see, my friends, the greatest response to God’s prodigal mercy is not merely to receive it and to be genuinely at peace with it — but to enter the celebration and help bring others home. God is not wasteful with His grace. But we waste it if we do not appreciate it as the good news that it is.
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