The Dad Waiting on the Verandah
By Andy Callow (Principal)
Jesus told this story:
“A man had two sons.
The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed
to divide his wealth between his sons.
“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he
wasted all his money in wild living.
About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But
no one gave him anything.
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food
enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no
longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming.
Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of
being called your son.’
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a
ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.
And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead
and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began”
Luke 15 :11–24
A marvellous story!
One that has been a loved by millions of people since first told two thousand years ago.
It is a classic tale of family strife, rebellion, wild living, extreme poverty and despair … where crisis
climaxes in reconciliation and restoration.
The central character of course is the wasteful (prodigal) son, but the hero is the waiting father.
If this story was set in rural Australia, he would be the father waiting on the verandah looking hopefully out to the horizon. I picture him aching with concern, wondering what has befallen his foolish son, willing him to return from splurging his inheritance in the bars and brothels of the “Big Smoke”.
His long vigil on the verandah draws out until the memorable day when he saw a distant figure trudging
slowly towards the homestead.
Perhaps? … Could it be? … He knows that walk, ever since his toddler son took his first steps… It’s him!
My SON!
His Dad runs (yes runs!) towards him and enfolds him in a bear hug that brings memories flooding back for both of them. Past rebellion, regrets and a gnawing fear of rejection are all over-whelmed by the power of a father’s love that covers a multitude of sins.
We all crave forgiveness and acceptance that is a product of love (not our abject apologies or our imperfect striving to do better). The Easter story celebrates that Divine forgiveness and the acceptance that is freely available for anyone who yearns for restoration with the Father, and is willing to turn for home.
Easter changes everything.