Let’s Return Home

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Luke 15:11-32 (The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen)

Mari Ikeda

1. A despair that separates us from others and from which there is no escape

a. Leaving home (11-13)

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

b. Wandering further and further away from home (13-16)

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

c. The decision to return home (17-20a)

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

d. The joyful father’s welcome (20b-24)

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

2. The hope of Jesus’ presence even in our despair

a. Jealousy and rage (25-30)

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

b. The father simply wanted his elder son to rejoice with him (31-32)

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

3. When Jesus “left home”　

4. Let’s return home　

Summary

God loves each of us as his precious child. We constantly doubt his love, needing to prove to ourselves that we are worthy of love. When we are not loved by other people, we despair because we feel that we are unlovable and unworthy. Jesus left his home, his Father’s house, in order to come find and rescue us from our despair. Jesus teaches us how to return home. We have a home to which we must return. The God who knows everything about us is always waiting for us to return to him.　

For Discussion

Which brother do you relate to more?
Why do we doubt God’s love and insist on leaving home?