The word prodigal means ‘wasteful’ or ‘extravagant’, and is often associated with Jesus’ well-known parable in Luke 15. A son asks his father for his share of the inheritance before his father is even dead, and then goes and spends it all on partying. This foolish and rebellious son spared no expense in treating himself to a taste of the ‘high life’.

Yet, in a different way, the word prodigal can also refer to the father in the story. When the son finally decided to repent of his sin, his father did not just grudgingly accept the apology. He threw a lavish party, sparing no expense in celebrating his son’s return to the family. The father was extravagant in demonstrating his love for his wayward son.

This parable is, of course, a picture of what God is like towards His people. He has spared no expense in welcoming us into His family, bringing us into eternal relationship with Him.

Ephesians 1 reminds us of this lavish generosity. “He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ… He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ…In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”

In the parable of the prodigal son, a fattened calf was killed for the welcome-home feast. How much greater the sacrifice made at Calvary’s Tree, where the precious, only-begotten Son of God laid down His life to secure forgiveness for a wayward and sinful humanity!  

For those of us who have repented and believed in Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1 is a reminder of how blessed and privileged we are. May our hearts be ever filled with praise and thanksgiving. And if you have not yet trusted in Christ as your Saviour, I pray that you will realise just how much you are loved by God. He has spared no expense so that you could have a way back to His family. Won’t you come home through faith in Jesus Christ today?