DNA — Kill the Calf

The parable of the prodigal son, told fresh, exposes a younger son who wished his father dead, squandered everything, and hit rock bottom feeding pigs. Sometimes God lets us reach rock bottom so we discover he is the rock at the bottom. When the son returns, the father runs, an indecent act in that culture, and restores him with the best robe, the family ring, and sandals, then kills the fatted calf to throw a party. Heaven celebrates when the lost are found. The message refuses to stop there. The older brother, picturing the Pharisees and sometimes us, is angry at grace. Its warnings: no one is too far gone, celebrate when people come to Jesus, and never forget what it is to be lost.