Finding Resilience, Joy and Our Identity in Jesus Christ Lesson Four

Lesson Four: The Prodigal Child, the Eldest Child, and the Devoted Parent

Scripture: Luke 15:11–32 

How Much Does God Love You?

Some of us have heard the story of the prodigal child as much as we have heard any other Bible lesson. So, what’s love got to do with it? The parent exhibits great love and grace toward the wayward child. The role of the parent is played by God.

My imaginative side wonders what it would sound like if the benevolent father was the devoted mother. And, what if the prodigal son was the prodigal daughter? Would women and girls hear this story differently and would it reveal the scriptures to us in a different way?

In my imagination, I can see this girl child—let’s give her a name. Let’s call her Joanna. You know the story. She gathers all her stuff and travels to a distant country.

She eventually says to herself, “Here I am dying of hunger! I am going home.”

Headed home, she practices her speech, “Mother, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am not worthy to be called your daughter. Treat me like one of the hired workers.”

Then she hears her name. She sees her mother running down the road with her arms outstretched, “Joanna! Joanna!”

Joanna walks quickly, picks up her pace, and then runs . . . right into her mother’s embrace. But, before she can even get her repentance speech out, her mother kisses her and calls out to one of her hired workers: “Zoe, bring me that new dress I just bought for Joanna, and bring that ring and those sandals in her room. And fire up the grill. We have to eat and celebrate for this daughter of mine was dead and is alive again. She was lost and is found!” 

And, then the party begins!

Recently, I was asked, “If you could have dinner with anyone who is no longer alive, what four people would you want to have dinner with?” I had just performed the funeral of someone who was like a father to me. So, a person whom I would like to have dinner with is Dick Woodke—and his wife Nancy, who died before him. I also want to have dinner with my father and mother, who have gone on to join the saints in light.

While it is sad and hard to adjust to the “new normal,” I have such joy in my heart that I was able to visit Dick before he died. He told me he loved me. And, his daughter thanked me for being by his bedside and praying with him his last prayer.

I cannot fathom, though, what it would be like to have someone whom you love so deeply, whom you believe is dead, come walking down the road into your embrace. Feelings of dread and grief are replaced, all of a sudden, with love and sheer joy.

But, then, the eldest child—let’s call her Abigail—returns from the field. She discovers that her sister is home, and there is a party. Her mother comes out and pleads with her: “Come join the party, dear Abigail. Your sister is back. Come and celebrate with us.”

She says, “Mother, all these years I have worked my fingers to the bone for you. So where is my party? But, your slutty daughter comes home after spending all your money in the streets, and there is music and dancing for her.”

Her mother says, “Daughter, you are always with me. I could throw you a party, but I rejoice every day because of you.” What good words to hear from a loving parent. “I have joy in my heart for you every day, dear child.”

“All that is mine is yours. But, we have to celebrate and rejoice, because this sister of yours was dead and has come to life; she was lost and has been found.”

I imagine that one reason Jesus told this story was so we could see the love of God, which is so great, that it is like this devoted parent’s great love for her child. 

It brings me to tears that God loves us so much. How much does God love you? God has great love for you (1 John 3:1). Even in times of doubt and suffering, God’s love is eternal. After all, God is love (1 John 4:8, 16). Notice that both the lost child and the eldest child are loved, simply because they are God’s children. 

In lesson four, we will see that like a parent, God is filled with such joy in finding those who are lost that it is the impetus for throwing a big party with friends and neighbors, so everyone can come and welcome them home.

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This blog is the fourth in a series of nine blogs.

Finding Resilience, Joy, and Our Identity in Jesus Christ is the Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA), Inc. Bible study for 2025–2026. Go to presbyterianwomen.org/bible-study/resilience to find more resources and copies for you and your group to study along with us. Call 800/533-4371 or order online.