Jesus explained many spiritual truths by using ordinary life stories called the 'parables', a word that is derived from the Greek word 'parabole' that means ‘viewing things side by side’. There are thirtyone unique parables, found in the first three gospels (the synoptic gospels). They reveal just enough truth to raise intense curiosity, promising more for interested listeners. They are not to be taken as doctrines or prophecies, rather must be studied in context. The parable of the 'prodigal son' is one of the most well known among them. It is about a sweet home where a kind and wealthy father lives with his two sons. The younger son claimed his inheritance from his father and ran off to a far away place. He eventually returned after squandering his inheritance and was received by his father with full restoration as a son.
The younger son remembered about his home while he was living far away. "When he came to his senses, he remembered ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death'.’" (Luke 15:17 ). The necessary element to repentance was the prodigal son's remembrance of his life back home. The son probably did not want to go back because he was filled with guilt of the past. Generally, humans cannot choose to remember or forget. We remember things we don't want to remember, but remember the things we would like to forget. Bad things tend to stay in memory longer than good things. We may have failed, disappointed ourselves and others miserably. The truth is that nobody can change the past. We can ruin a good present by worrying about the past. If we remember the goodness of the past and the promises of the future, there is abundance waiting for us. It may sometimes take the experience of living with the pigs to remind us of the goodness waiting for us.
Everyone will face disappointments one time or other. We may be burdened with with the painful memories of the past. Friends break their word, marriages end in divorce, our children move away and never call us, colleagues betray us, the company lays us off, doctors can’t cure us, our investments disappear, our dreams are shattered, the best-laid plans go astray, other Christians disappoint us, and very often we disappoint ourselves. We live in a world of disappointment, and if we do not come to grips with this truth, we are doomed to be unhappier tomorrow than we are today.
The Father also remembered the son. “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). The son’s remembrance led to repentance while the father’s remembrance led to redemption. There are people who are upset saying that the father did not do anything to search for the son. There is no reference to support that. I believe Jesus would have added it if that was relevant for the lesson. Or he left it out for each of us to apply as we choose. We may have fathers who never want to take responsibilities and who need to learn from the heavenly father. Knowing how kind this father turned out to be, I believe this father must have done everything possible to contact him. In fact, I believe that he was in constant touch with him, and would have asked him to come back several times. I would venture to say that the father never forgot; but he prayed regularly for his son's return.
Unlike humans, God can choose to remember or not remember. God’s mercy gives us chances after chances when we mess up. Peter denied Jesus three times, all the disciples left him in time of trial, still Jesus came back to them after resurrection and restored them. Rather than condemning, Jesus showed compassion. When God remembers us, he does not think about our sins, he remembers us through Jesus who has taken the shame on behalf of us. God says, “I will not remember your sins” (Isa. 43:25). He throws your sins in the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19) and puts a 'no fishing here' sign. God remembers you and not your sinful past.
Many of us live with negative labels. Sometimes they are not our own fault and many times they are of our own doing. We may think that our story is one of failure and shame. Because God remembers us, our story can be a story of grace. God’s grace fixes broken lives, heals broken hearts and restores estranged sinners. No matter how severe the sin might be God’s grace is always greater. He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a dying flame. He will mend your brokenness and brighten your dark situations. (Isaiah 42:3). "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9).
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