Luke 15:21-24 - Who is the prodigal?

Luke 15:21-24(NRSV)

Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

It all sounds like such a happy ending, doesn't it?

What good fortune for this younger son.

It's commendable that the boy found his voice and did in the end beg his father's forgiveness.

That in humility he was willing to take a lesser role in the household. So maybe he has his happy ending after all.

But again look at the father. 

At the lavishness of the celebration.

Remember that prodigal is wasteful and recklessly spendthrift. Maybe in the end, this story shouldn't be called the prodigal son as much as the prodigal father.

The lavish, wasteful, lavish father.

And that could be the end of the story.

But it isn't.

Lord I cannot even wrap my mind around your extravagant love! All I can do is be so grateful and hope that that lavish love grows in my heart. Amen