A Recklessly Extravagant LoveSample

The Father

The Story Unpacked

The father in this parable responds to his sons in ways Jesus’ audience would not have anticipated. Perhaps the most striking of these is the truth that the father’s incredible love for his sons was not dependant on their behaviour, or even on their response to their own mistakes or bad attitudes.

Even before the younger son had apologised upon his return, and despite all he had done, the father ran to him and embraced him. The younger son was probably expecting a hostile response, but was instead greeted with love, joy, forgiveness and acceptance, along with a feast at the father’s expense.

Even though the older brother angrily refused to enter his father’s feast, the father still comes to him pleading for him to join in the celebration. The father is more than willing to forgive his sons and welcome them both back into a loving relationship with himself. This is a father who is extravagant in his love and endlessly compassionate in his pursuit to have his children truly understand who he is and how he feels about them.

Questions

1. How would you describe the way the father views and treats his sons?
2. Who does the father represent in this parable?
3. What does this parable teach us about how God reacts when someone turns to Him in their lives?
4. Why do you think God wants to forgive us?
5. How does it make you feel to know that God has not turned His back on you, but instead wants to be in a loving relationship with you and for you to celebrate with Him?
6. Has this parable changed the way you think about God? If so, how?