A Shocking LoveSýnishorn

The Love of the Father

In the first century, the Middle Eastern audience that was listening to Jesus tell the story of the Lost Son, lived in an honor-shame culture. They were well-acquainted with meeting specific standards to gain respect and status within society. In this story, the son’s actions take a detour from societal expectations resulting in shame upon himself and his family.

In ancient Jewish culture, they were prepared to respond to a situation like this. In a practice called the Kezazah ceremony: a 'shamed' individual was officially cut off from the rest of the community. This was such a widespread practice that our English word “ostracized” is derived from the Greek term that describes it. If a member of the community brought shame upon themselves and had the audacity to show their face again, the village would meet that person at the border and smash a clay pot on the ground.

The shattered pot was a visual representation of the shamed individual— broken beyond repair and forever banished from the community.

This is where the shocking turn of events happens in Jesus’ story. The son is on his way back to the village and the listeners, sitting around Jesus, were expecting to hear how the Kezazah ceremony goes down. But it doesn’t happen. Instead, the father spots the prodigal out on the horizon, gathers up the hem of his robes, and runs toward his son.

For a dignified elder of the community to pick up his robes and expose his ankles is unheard of. He doesn’t run out to the edge of his property to greet someone, especially an outcast. To be sure, he doesn’t run at all— it’s beneath him! But the father in Jesus’ story defies all expectations in order to restore his son’s reputation. He willingly shames himself to reach his son first and prevent the village from shaming and banishing him forever.

Reflection: During His ministry, Jesus brought this parable to life when He took away the shame of a woman caught in adultery. Like the adulterous woman, are you continuing to live in your shame, or are you willing to allow Jesus to relieve you of it and change your life forever?

Prayer: "Father, thank You for Your shocking love that takes my shame and forgives me when I stray. Help me remember that Your love is different from what I experience in the world. It doesn’t fail. It CANNOT fail, even when I fail you."