prod·i·gal / prädəɡəl
1. recklessly extravagant
2. having spent everything

The parable of the Prodigal Son is Jesus’ most famous parable. But most of us are only familiar with part of the story. We all know about the younger “prodigal.” However, the story features not one son, but two:

● One who leaves home, the other who stays . . .
● One who is irreligious, the other who is religious . . .
● One who pursues ultimate satisfaction by being very bad, the other by being very good . . .
● Both of whom are lost and alienated from the father!

In this parable, Jesus is redefining what it means to be lost. But He’s also redefining what it means to be loved.

The real “prodigal” of the story is the father (i.e. God). He is the one spends everything, at great cost to himself, in order that both sons might be reconciled to him and find ultimate satisfaction at his table of extravagant grace.

For further study, pick up a copy of The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller