Jesus' parable of the prodigal son as a statue at the Crystal Cathedral
By Bill Gaultiere © 2010
The most compelling story about God in the Bible – the greatest short story ever told anywhere – is Jesus’ “Parable of the Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-32).
But the parable is misnamed – the real Prodigal in the story is God! “Prodigal” means “wasteful, lavish spendthrift.” Sure enough the son squanders his inheritance in sinful living. But the father wastes his wealth and lavishes his love on his son again and again.
Jesus’ Picture of the Father
In his story Jesus gives us an unforgettable picture of God as a loving Father beyond our wildest imagination. Here the arms of God are open wide to us to forgive our sins and heal our hurts, to accept us as we are and empower us to become all that we can be. Here we meet God as Abba – Papa, Daddy. This is what Jesus knew personally and it defined everything about him.
Years ago I did serious study of Jesus’ parable to understand the cultural subtleties and hidden meanings. I’ve prayed this story and I’ve lived it for many years. With Jesus I see Abba’s smile and come closer. With Jesus I am embraced in Abba’s arms and find joyous acceptance and deep healing.
The Prodigal Son Statue
Recently on a retreat I spent some time meditating on Jesus’ beloved parable. I read the story in Luke’s gospel and opened my heart anew to God, my Father. To help me delight in the Abba of Jesus I meditated on the “Coming Home” statue that depicts Jesus’ story at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA.
As I sat in front of this work of art and prayed I saw the father in the story in a way that surprised me: its Jesus! Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was embracing me, a foolish sinner, and helping me to look up into the heavens with him to appreciate that God was my loving Abba too!
I love to share with others the love of Abba! So I invite you to join me by reflecting on my prayer poem, “Prodigal God.” I wrote it beside the Prodigal Son statue. Smile! Open your arms with me to Jesus’ Abba!
Prodigal God
“Give me!”
I said to God;
I went away
To a far country.
~
Used and abused
As I’d done to God;
To the pigs I cried
“Feed me!”
~
Starving and alone,
Thinking right –
For the first time –
I return home.
~
Head drooping,
Feet shuffling,
People laughing,
Speech rehearsing.
~
Disheveled and dirty,
I blew it! I’m broke!
A sad slave,
I’m mocked and maligned.
~
Jesus runs to me –
Why?
People laugh –
At him!
~
“See the fool!”
The crowd
Mocks Jesus
Instead of me.
~
“Forgive me!”
As a slave
I threw myself
Onto Jesus.
~
He smiles at me
“My son!”
He looks up
With thanks.
~
His tears of grief,
My tears of regret,
Become
Our tears of joy.
~
Embraced,
How could it be?
Jesus’ Abba
Is my Abba!
~
His robe,
His ring and sandals,
His party –
All for me!
~
His righteousness,
His authority and sonship,
His joy –
All for me!
~
My brother,
My sister,
With Jesus
You are Abba’s child too!
More Soul Shepherding
“Abba’s Child” shares a special healing prayer that God gave me one day on a retreat in a time of solitude. It’s become my favorite Abba prayer!
Pastors, missionaries, and other ministry leaders may have father wounds like anyone else. They too may need personal healing. But where do they go? Often they cannot afford psychotherapy. And if they can how many psychotherapists know how to minister God’s healing and help people draw closer to Christ? This is an example of why the ministry of Soul Shepherding is so needed.
Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ SoulShepherding.org
