If there is any parable of Jesus that encapsulates the gospel, it is the parable of the prodigal son (see the story in Luke 15). The parable likewise encapsulates a key set of themes that run throughout the Old Testament prophets, namely:
- Human beings tend to wander away from God. We forget God, we rely on our own strength and our own devices, we do our own thing without regard to God. (In ancient Israel, people were doing this all the time, just as today!)
- When people stray away from God, they end up in a mess. (This happened repeatedly in the history of Israel, as it does today!)
- We find the answer by returning to the Lord.
- God meets us with compassion, ready to forgive, renew, strengthen, and guide us in right paths.
- God is reaching to us right now, calling us to “come home” to God. This is what God does through the words of the prophets—and what God does most decisively through Jesus Christ.
So the message first uttered by the prophets is ever current and continues to speak to us today; as they said,
Return to the Lord and ask Him to take away all guilt. [Hosea 14:2] For in returning and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust shall be your strength. Blessed are those who trust in God. [Isaiah 30:15,18]
Sunday’s Scripture Readings:
Luke 15:11–20
Hosea 14:1–3
Isaiah 30:15–18
