He also said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:11–24 CSB)
I have always been amazed by the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. After his son decides he would rather enjoy his inheritance than have a relationship with his father, the father receives him back as his own. Remarkable, absolutely remarkable! It is even more astounding when we consider the details of the father’s reaction when he saw his son returning from a distance.
Jesus’s audience knew that if the father was concerned with his own honor, he would require his son to finish this walk of shame toward home. At the same time, the community would condemn the son for his dishonorable behavior. The only way for the father to regain his honor in the community would be for his son to be put to death. However, as Jesus tells the story, he unexpectedly changes the narrative.
The father, upon recognizing his son, does the unexpected. Taking his full-length tunic, he would have needed to tuck it into his belt to allow himself to run to his son. This action would, of course, expose the father’s bare legs, a terrible, shameful act for a man in the Ancient Near East. The father’s willingness to take on the shame and embrace his son in full view of the community demonstrates he is more concerned with his son’s restoration into the family than he is with his own honor.
This dynamic is a beautiful reminder for us of the shame Jesus bore for us on the cross.
[. . .] keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
May you be reminded today that regardless of what you have done or how long you have wandered, the Father is always willing to take away your shame and receive you back in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
David Curtis is the lead pastor of Salt Creek Baptist Church in Dallas, Oregon.
