What it actually means is
adjective
1.
wastefully or recklessly extravagant
2.
giving or yielding profusely; lavish
3.
lavishly abundant; profuse
Quite a different definition.
Which is the platform off of which Tim Keller's The Prodigal God springs. I recently read this short book (which is available in English and Italian! And I highly recommend it), and the main idea is that God is "recklessly extravagant" and "lavishly abundant" in His love toward us.
Only a "prodigal" God would behave like the father in the parable. After His son had squandered his inheritance and was reduced to a state of near starvation, he decides to return home and beg to become merely a servant in his father's house. 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" (Luke 15:20). He calls for a grand celebration and spares no expense as he welcomes him back into the family. And he counts it all as joy.
"'For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now he is found.'" (Luke 15:24)
In the same way, regardless of our sinful, runaway hearts and our tendency to succumb to selfish desires, our Father will accept us back if we are willing to come home and ask for forgiveness.
But this story isn't just about how far the "prodigal son" was from his father when he demanded his inheritance (essentially wishing his father was dead) and ran away to spend his money on whatever he thought would truly make him happy. No, there is another brother in the story that we often gloss over. And, because Jesus told this story to the pompously puffed-up religious leaders who were criticizing him for eating with "sinners," this elder brother deserves a closer look.
The elder brother becomes angry and bitterly envious that his younger brother receives special treatment even after all he has done. He takes pride in his good deeds. He feels slighted because he has earned his father's love. He's done everything in his power to deserve it.
"'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. But when this son of yours who has squandered you property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'" (Luke 15:29-30)
So we focus on this lost younger brother and don't often dwell on the fact that the older brother was just as lost, if not more so. After all, at the end of the parable, we don't actually know if he made amends with his father.
This elder brother represents those of the moral, "religious" classification who do not fulling grasp the gift of grace.
Keller puts it this way: "The elder brother is not losing the father's love in spite of his goodness, but because of it. It is not his sins that create the barrier between him and his father, it's the pride he has in his moral record; it's not his wrongdoing but his righteousness that is keeping him from sharing in the feast of the father."
He also sums up the sinful motives in both brothers' hearts by saying that they both "wanted the father's goods rather than the father himself."
That was convicting for me. How much of my praise flows out of thankfulness for His gifts and not Jesus Himself? How many times do I ask for the things I want and human relationships to fill me up when I should be resting in and marveling at who He is and what He's done? I am so selfish.
And how much do I think I "deserve" those good things because of what I do? I strive to be "good enough" and "obedient," which isn't in itself a horrible thing, but it is when I look to my own strength and "goodness" to save me. No, Elizabeth. That completely negates the gospel.
"If, like the elder brother, you believe that God ought to bless you and help you because you have worked so hard to obey him and be a good person, then Jesus may be your helper, your example, even your inspiration, but he is not your Savior. You are serving as your own Savior." (The Prodigal God)
Ouch. Churchgoers and "religious" folk, may we never become complacent concerning our need for Him. May we never forget the importance (and joy) of a relationship with Him. Christ alone. Not what He can do for you or give you. He's so much more than that.
Okay that's all I've got. Read the book and we'll talk about it :)
Love from Rome,
Elizabeth
