“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him…” Luke 15:20b, NIV

The Bible tells us that God loves because He is love (1 John 4:8). In human terms, we may define love as an attitude and action towards a parent, child or friend that is expressed in giving them what they want or protecting them against perceived danger or harm. But can we call it genuine love as measured by the love of God?

The prodigal son story in Luke 15 provides a vividly clear picture of God’s love toward sinners like you and me. This perspective was emphasised by Billy Strachan in his comments on the father’s responses to the younger son in Luke 15. He once asked a group of Christians which verse in this story was most important. Some thought that verse 17 was most important or 20 or 21.

But Billy Strachan insisted that Luke 15:12 is most important in the passage of Luke 15:11-32. This verse indicates that this is the time when the father allows his younger son to leave home. It’s a very risky action, letting him go in rebellion, wallowing in the most immoral living and destructive activities. Then, the younger son allowed himself to be used and abused by fake fair-weather friends who wanted his money –until the money ran out and the so-called friends disappeared.

Meanwhile, the son quickly shifted into a downward spiral, darker and more desperate, into a pig pen! Pigs are still forbidden in Jewish culture. But God loves us so much that He allows us to rebel and sometimes fall into very extreme circumstances…until we hit “rock-bottom”. Then—often only then, do many of us realize that we are

helpless, hopeless and unworthy on our own and need to see that the Lord is our only real-life option. As he was growing up, the younger son did not really allow himself to deeply experience his father’s love. He took his father’s love for granted while still focusing on himself. The U-turn of real repentance happened only when he realized the deep, unfailing nature of the Father’s love and that he was totally unworthy of it. In the eureka moment, he suddenly understood this! He was now fully ready and willing to embrace and experience his father’s love—a love which never changed regardless of the son’s attitude and actions!

As pastor of my former home church, Charles Price remarked, there are even many Christians who wallow in “pig pens” and rebel against God. Yet, the Lord allows us to sometimes wander away, off His spiritual leash…until you and I realize how unworthy we really are of His love. Only then can we repent and start to live daily with overflowing gratitude in our Heavenly Father’s love through Jesus—praying in the Holy Spirit and bearing fruit for His eternal glory!