“I am no longer worthy to be called your son…” – Luke 15:19 (NIV)
The account of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is not just about rebellion or poor choices – it is a powerful portrait of love in action.
A younger son demands his inheritance, walks away from his father, and wastes everything. In that culture, his request was deeply offensive – essentially saying, “I want your things, not you.” Yet the father lets him go. Love does not control; it allows freedom, even when that freedom may lead to pain.
When the son finally comes to his senses – hungry, ashamed, and broken – he rehearses a speech of apology. But before he can even reach the house, the father runs to him. This is the power of love: the father does not wait to hear the confession, does not demand explanations, and does not punish. He embraces. He restores. He celebrates.
A father’s love runs toward brokenness, restores dignity (the son received a new robe, ring, and sandals), and rejoices instead of rejecting. His love transforms the son — not fear, not shame, not consequences — but love.
The account also challenges us through the older brother, who stays physically close to the father but emotionally distant. He struggles to celebrate grace. Here we see another truth: love not only welcomes the lost, it invites the faithful to grow in compassion.
Friends, God’s love is not earned by good behaviour nor canceled by bad decisions. It is steadfast, pursuing, and powerful enough to bring us home.
Ask yourself, ‘How does this account relate to me?’ Am I like the younger son, needing restoration, or the older son, requiring a deeper understanding of restoration love? Have I ever experienced God’s love meeting me before I felt “worthy”?
The power of love is not that it ignores wrongdoing — but that it heals, restores, and calls us back into a relationship – a relationship first with the Father and then others. No matter how far we wander, love is always watching the road, ready to run toward us.
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to demonstrate Your agape love to those in my family and neighbourhood. May I be open to accepting those who may have erred and showcase Your pure love without judgement. Help me to have a deeper understanding of grace, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Romans 6:14; 2 Peter 3:9
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 20; Matthew 26:69-75; Matthew 27:1-10; Exodus 9; Exodus 10