June 15th, 2025
by Rose Marie Abraham
by Rose Marie Abraham
The Characteristics of a Good Father: Lessons from the Prodigal Son
In the timeless parable of the Prodigal Son, we find a wealth of wisdom about the nature of God's love and the character of a good father. This story, found in Luke 15:11-17, offers profound insights into the human condition, the power of redemption, and the unfailing love of our Heavenly Father.
The tale begins with a young man who, driven by impatience and a desire for immediate gratification, asks his father for his inheritance before its due time. In a surprising act of generosity and trust, the father obliges, dividing his assets between his two sons. This moment sets the stage for a powerful lesson in observation, preparation, and imitation – three key elements in understanding the character of a good father.
Observation is the foundation upon which children build their understanding of the world and their place in it. The prodigal son, though misguided in his actions, had observed enough of his father's character and success to know there was something of value to be claimed. As parents and mentors, we must remember that young eyes are always watching, learning from our actions more than our words. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we worth observing? Is our character consistent and admirable enough to withstand the scrutiny of those who look up to us?
Preparation is the next crucial step in developing character. The father in the parable had clearly prepared well, not only financially but in instilling values and work ethic in his son. Even when the young man found himself in dire straits, having squandered his inheritance, he did not resort to begging. Instead, he sought employment, demonstrating that some of his father's teachings had taken root. This reminds us of the proverb, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
The concept of preparation extends beyond just material provision. It encompasses the spiritual and moral foundations we lay for future generations. As the anonymous writer of Hebrews instructs, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7-8). Our preparation today becomes the legacy we leave tomorrow.
Imitation is the final piece of this character-building puzzle. The prodigal son, in his moment of deepest despair, "came to himself" – a phrase that suggests a return to the core values and teachings of his upbringing. He remembered the goodness of his father's house, where even the servants had more than enough. This recollection sparked his journey of repentance and return.
As we consider what aspects of our lives are worthy of imitation, we're reminded of the Apostle Paul's words: "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). The highest calling is not to imitate mere human traits or successes, but to embody the faith that connects us to our Heavenly Father.
The parable takes a poignant turn when the son returns home. The father's response is nothing short of extraordinary – he runs to meet his son, embraces him, and celebrates his return. This powerful image reflects the heart of our Heavenly Father, who rejoices over every sinner who repents.
But the story doesn't end there. It challenges us to consider the deeper implications of God's love. Just as the father in the parable gave his son freedom to make his own choices – even destructive ones – our Heavenly Father allows us the free will to choose our path. Yet, He never stops watching, waiting, and hoping for our return.
This brings us to the ultimate demonstration of a good father's character – sacrifice. While the parable shows us a father who sacrificed a portion of his wealth, it points to a greater truth: the sacrifice of God the Father in sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem humanity.
John 3:16 encapsulates this truth: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This act of supreme love reveals the heart of the Father – a heart that loves unconditionally, forgives completely, and restores fully.
As we reflect on the character of a good father, we're called to embody these qualities in our own lives. Whether we're parents, mentors, or simply fellow travelers on life's journey, we have the opportunity to demonstrate God's love to those around us. We can be observers worth imitating, preparers of the next generation, and imitators of Christ's selfless love.
The parable reminds us that no matter how far we've strayed, our Heavenly Father is always waiting with open arms. His character is unchanging – full of love, grace, and mercy. He's not waiting to condemn, but to celebrate our return.
In our moments of despair, when we feel we've squandered our inheritance or lost our way, we can take heart in knowing that we have a good Father. One who has prepared a place for us, who observes our every step with loving concern, and who invites us to imitate His perfect love.
As we go forth, let us carry the lessons of the Prodigal Son in our hearts. Let us strive to be worthy of observation, diligent in preparation, and faithful in imitation of Christ's love. And let us never forget that, no matter where we are in life's journey, we can always come home to the embrace of our good Father.
May we, like the prodigal son, come to ourselves and remember the goodness of our Father's house. And may we, like the father in the parable, extend that same love and grace to others, becoming living testimonies of the character of our good Heavenly Father.
In the timeless parable of the Prodigal Son, we find a wealth of wisdom about the nature of God's love and the character of a good father. This story, found in Luke 15:11-17, offers profound insights into the human condition, the power of redemption, and the unfailing love of our Heavenly Father.
The tale begins with a young man who, driven by impatience and a desire for immediate gratification, asks his father for his inheritance before its due time. In a surprising act of generosity and trust, the father obliges, dividing his assets between his two sons. This moment sets the stage for a powerful lesson in observation, preparation, and imitation – three key elements in understanding the character of a good father.
Observation is the foundation upon which children build their understanding of the world and their place in it. The prodigal son, though misguided in his actions, had observed enough of his father's character and success to know there was something of value to be claimed. As parents and mentors, we must remember that young eyes are always watching, learning from our actions more than our words. The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we worth observing? Is our character consistent and admirable enough to withstand the scrutiny of those who look up to us?
Preparation is the next crucial step in developing character. The father in the parable had clearly prepared well, not only financially but in instilling values and work ethic in his son. Even when the young man found himself in dire straits, having squandered his inheritance, he did not resort to begging. Instead, he sought employment, demonstrating that some of his father's teachings had taken root. This reminds us of the proverb, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
The concept of preparation extends beyond just material provision. It encompasses the spiritual and moral foundations we lay for future generations. As the anonymous writer of Hebrews instructs, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith" (Hebrews 13:7-8). Our preparation today becomes the legacy we leave tomorrow.
Imitation is the final piece of this character-building puzzle. The prodigal son, in his moment of deepest despair, "came to himself" – a phrase that suggests a return to the core values and teachings of his upbringing. He remembered the goodness of his father's house, where even the servants had more than enough. This recollection sparked his journey of repentance and return.
As we consider what aspects of our lives are worthy of imitation, we're reminded of the Apostle Paul's words: "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). The highest calling is not to imitate mere human traits or successes, but to embody the faith that connects us to our Heavenly Father.
The parable takes a poignant turn when the son returns home. The father's response is nothing short of extraordinary – he runs to meet his son, embraces him, and celebrates his return. This powerful image reflects the heart of our Heavenly Father, who rejoices over every sinner who repents.
But the story doesn't end there. It challenges us to consider the deeper implications of God's love. Just as the father in the parable gave his son freedom to make his own choices – even destructive ones – our Heavenly Father allows us the free will to choose our path. Yet, He never stops watching, waiting, and hoping for our return.
This brings us to the ultimate demonstration of a good father's character – sacrifice. While the parable shows us a father who sacrificed a portion of his wealth, it points to a greater truth: the sacrifice of God the Father in sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem humanity.
John 3:16 encapsulates this truth: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This act of supreme love reveals the heart of the Father – a heart that loves unconditionally, forgives completely, and restores fully.
As we reflect on the character of a good father, we're called to embody these qualities in our own lives. Whether we're parents, mentors, or simply fellow travelers on life's journey, we have the opportunity to demonstrate God's love to those around us. We can be observers worth imitating, preparers of the next generation, and imitators of Christ's selfless love.
The parable reminds us that no matter how far we've strayed, our Heavenly Father is always waiting with open arms. His character is unchanging – full of love, grace, and mercy. He's not waiting to condemn, but to celebrate our return.
In our moments of despair, when we feel we've squandered our inheritance or lost our way, we can take heart in knowing that we have a good Father. One who has prepared a place for us, who observes our every step with loving concern, and who invites us to imitate His perfect love.
As we go forth, let us carry the lessons of the Prodigal Son in our hearts. Let us strive to be worthy of observation, diligent in preparation, and faithful in imitation of Christ's love. And let us never forget that, no matter where we are in life's journey, we can always come home to the embrace of our good Father.
May we, like the prodigal son, come to ourselves and remember the goodness of our Father's house. And may we, like the father in the parable, extend that same love and grace to others, becoming living testimonies of the character of our good Heavenly Father.
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