Hwa Yung, in his book “Leadership or Servanthood,” writes that the appropriate title should be The Parable of the Waiting Father and not The Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32)
Hero: The rascal son is not the hero of the parable. The guilty son is projected as the central character, ignoring the pain and shame suffered by the father.
Major scandal: A son leaving home, after getting his inheritance before his death, is a major scandal in the Asian family context. It is not only illegal, but also immoral.
Useless father: The village community would consider the father as useless, unable to bring up his children with values, and would not discipline his children. Like Eli, the Chief Priest, this father did not restrain or correct his independent-minded son. (I Samuel 3:13)
Only option: The father had only one option to save his honour and dignity among his people. He could publicly disown his wayward son and declare it before the village court.
Loving choice: The father did not go for a legal route, but took the way of love. He would patiently wait for the son to return. It was a public shame, and would be ridiculed and mocked for his lack of strong character.
Resentment: This decision of letting go of his younger brother without punishment and opening doors for his return did not go well with the elder son. Though he did not express his displeasure at the beginning, when the younger son returned, it was obvious. The elder son did not want to call his younger brother ‘ brother’, instead, addressed him as ‘your son,’ and did not join the celebration.
Heavenly Father: Hwa Yung clearly writes about the spiritual lesson: “He bears the pain inflicted by our sin through the cross, absorbs the shame, waits patiently for our return, and sets no limits on the blessing he proposes to impart.” As the father was lavish in welcoming, celebrating, and rehabilitating his wayward son, God the Father lavishes His blessings on those who repent.
Do I understand and appreciate the love of the Heavenly Father?