Zach (Jesus Podcast Host) (3:30)

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Zach (Jesus Podcast Host) (5:03)

God's arms are always open when you've failed, when you've stumbled, when you've rejected him, scoffed at him or sinned against him, God's arms are still open, wide open, ready to embrace you. This is the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach with Pray.com welcome to our final Parable episode. We're going to finish up the parable of the Prodigal Son. Jeramiel, the younger brother, took his father's inheritance, essentially wishing that he would die. It was an egregious insult, but the father gave him what he wanted. Sometimes, to show us the error of our ways, God gives us exactly what we ask for. It's only then that we realize that what we needed all along was not material possessions, but the Father's loving embrace.

Narrator (5:48)

The dirt crunched and cracked under Jeramiel's feet, as dry as his mouth. Dumbly, Jeramiel wondered when he had last had a drink of water. Had it been a day, perhaps two? He stumbled, tripping over the straps of his sandals. They had finally fallen apart, just like his life. He tried to laugh, but only a hoarse rattle came from his cracked, dry lips. Grime from the road caked his wiry beard, and dust scratched the corners of his eyes. He squinted at his bleak surroundings but was too weary to even raise a hand to block out the blinding sun. How far had he fallen in these last few years? He paused. Had it been years? Or had it only felt like years? Jeremiel had set out for adventure. An adventure he got. He traveled across foreign lands and saw many wonders. He sailed the ocean, lived in a colorful house in a city bigger than he had ever, ever imagined, traded amongst the most influential merchants, bedded beautiful women, got into a few street fights, and gambled at high stakes. He had lived like a king. Yet Jeramiel discovered that while empires take years to build, they can crumble instantly. He trusted the wrong people, took too many sips of wine and gambled away his father's inheritance. He didn't earn the money. He did not put his hand to the plough or spend years building equity. It wasn't his money, so he wasn't careful with it. Jeramiel thought his friends could help him, but they had all abandoned him. And just when he thought he could gain it all back, the land fell into a severe famine. It was the worst famine in living memory. The merchants and the city fell away and flocked to greener pastures and faraway lands. Trade ground to a halt. Jeramiel should have left the town when he could, but he no longer had the capital to consider the move. Then the debt collectors came calling. They took everything and even the promise of more desperate Jeramiel took out more loans to attempt to pay the money he owed. But it wasn't enough. There were threats to his life. He couldn't go back to his house. Jerameel feared every dark and hooded figure lurking around every corner. Fear drove him from the city with nothing but clothes on his back and the worn sandals on his feet. The last remaining coins in his purse were spent on spirits to drown out his sorrow. He was an utter wreck. He had been forced to take on work from any farmer or trader he met along the road. He would only earn enough money to make it to the next town and the next job. This became his existence for a time. He couldn't say how long he had lived like this. Malnutrition and melancholy consumed his thoughts entirely. His lowest point had come when he found himself drooling over the slop the pigs were eating. He couldn't remember the last time he had truly been full. He stared at the pig slop. He watched as the pigs devoured every morsel the pigs were fat and satisfied. He greedily watched the pigs scrape the bottom of their trough and sprang forward. Go on, get. Get out of here.

Podcast Host (9:25)

Go.

Narrator (9:26)

He yelled at them. The pigs scattered, and Jeramiel dove face first into the trough. He devoured whatever he could. Muck and feces covered his face. When he had scraped the last morsel out of the trough, he rolled over onto his back and wept. He was covered in shame, filthy, hungry and alone. He curled into a ball and fell asleep among the pigs. Jeramiel awoke abruptly when a cold bucket of water was poured on his face. It was the farmer standing over him with a pitchfork.

Abiathar (Father) (10:03)

Get out of here. My farm ain't an inn for ingrates and drunks. Get out of here. If I see your face again, I'll have you arrested.

Narrator (10:15)

Jerameel ran away and walked the road until his sandals snapped. Jeramiel washed his face in a nearby pond. He looked at his sorry reflection in the mirror and sighed. What am I doing here? How many of Father's hired workers have more than enough food? And here I am, dying of hunger. What. What if I. What if I could go back and. His mind raced with anxiety and regret. The thought of his father electrified him. His father would never let his workers starve. His mind raced with anxiety and regret. He was always so prudent with his resources. Undoubtedly the farm had stocked their grainhouses and storerooms. Certainly his father supported the village through the famine and shared his excess. Oh, his father. His heart panged with sorrow. How could he even think of his father without bristling with shame? He had been a fool. He squandered away all that his father had so generously given him. No, he didn't even deserve to think about his father. The guilt was overwhelming. But then his hunger pains returned. Jeramiel had squandered his rights as a son. But perhaps his father could find it in his heart to allow him to become one of his hired workers. I could go to my father and say to him, father, I've sinned. I've sinned against Heaven and in your sight. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. What choice do I have? I'm already dead. Or. Or I will be soon. These thoughts swirled Jerem's mind as he tried desperately to hold on to his consciousness. He felt faint now that he had stopped moving. He stopped and looked down at his sandals on the dusty road. They were broken beyond repair, so he removed them from his feet. Barefoot now, Jeramiel stumbled forward. He knew he would surely Die if he stopped moving. He limped back towards his father's house, tears creating streaks down his dusty cheeks. All the way he practiced his lines. Father, I've sinned against heaven and in your sight. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. He hobbled for miles, driven by hunger and desperation. With his head held low, he began passing by neat rows of crops in a field, and he could see workers in the distance. His heart began to swell. He was back home. But was it his home? He had severed all ties with his family. Surely his father would meet him with judgment and retribution. But still, it would be far better to beg at his father's table like a dog than continue to fight for the slop of pigs. The world had been harsh and unyielding in its cruelty. Even if his father, Abiathar, was angry, his judgment would be softer than the world's jagged edges. I'm so ashamed. He want nothing to do with me. Just then, Jeramiel saw a blurry figure in the distance. He blinked his eyes. It was moving. It looked like it was getting closer. Perhaps it was a man or a guard dog sent to run him off. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. It was definitely a person, and they were running right towards him. Jeramiel braced himself and turned away as quickly as he could muster. Surely this was another farmhand coming to run him off the land. He could barely manage a limp, but he prayed his pursuer would give up the chase. Then he heard someone call his name.

Abiathar (Father) (14:25)

Jeramiel.

Narrator (14:27)

Jeramiel stopped in his tracks. There was something familiar about that voice. With hope in his heart, he turned back to face the figure on the road.

Abiathar (Father) (14:38)

Jiramiel. My son.

Narrator (14:42)

There in front of his eyes, was his father. Abiathar's smile was brighter than the rising sun. Though he was old, his legs ran with youthful exuberance.

Abiathar (Father) (14:55)

My son. My son.

Narrator (14:58)

Jaramiel prepared his speech again. In his head, he limped towards his father, ready to fling himself at his feet and beg for forgiveness. But before he could say a word, his father threw his arms around him and kissed him, tears streaming down his face. The embrace nearly took Jeramiel off his feet, but his father's strong arms held him upright. Remembering the speech he practiced with the pigs, he fumbled his way through the words. Father, I've sinned against heaven and a new song. I'm no longer worthy to be called you. No, Abiathar said into his son's neck.

Abiathar (Father) (15:38)

You are my son.

Narrator (15:41)

The words melted Jeramiel's heart. Abiathar turned and shouted back over his shoulder at the crowd of workers who had gathered at the edge of the field to see the commotion.

Abiathar (Father) (15:51)

Quick, bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Zach (Jesus Podcast Host) (15:57)

Feet.

Abiathar (Father) (15:58)

Then bring the fatted calf and slaughter it, and let's celebrate with a feast.

Narrator (16:04)

Jeramiel was stunned at the words coming out of his father's mouth. Still feeling ashamed and overwhelmed, he looked down at his dusty, now bleeding feet. A feast. A celebration for him. The workers sprang into action and ran back towards the homestead. Jeramiel felt ready to collapse into a heap on the ground, but his father's strong arms held him in place. When Jeramiel had set out that morning, he never would have imagined that he would have received mercy instead of mistrust and grace instead of guilt. Abiathar turned back to his son, took his face in his hands, and said.

Abiathar (Father) (16:45)

This son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.

Narrator (16:54)

Abiathar reclined at the table, soaking in the scene before him. It was evening now, and the soft glow of torches and cook fires gave the courtyard and the center of the homestead a warm, inviting glow. If asked, he doubted he could truly convey the joy he had in his heart. He watched his now found son come back to life, laughing and smiling with friends and relatives. All seemed to be right in the world now. But one person was missing. His other son, Amnon, had not come home. Abiathar had sent servants to the field to tell him the good news, but that had been hours ago. Abiathar had hoped Amnon's anger would cool and that he could find it within himself to reconcile with his younger brother. He knew that Jeramiel's choice had deeply wounded Amnon. He also knew that Amnon did not understand. He didn't understand the choice he had made in response to Jeramiel's request for his share of the estate. They had discussed it at length many times, but that sprig of bitterness Amnon had been nursing for many years had finally taken root. His heart had hardened Amnon's misunderstanding of mercy. Mercy created a divide between them. Abiathar was deeply grieved, but he knew that this was something his son must overcome himself. He prayed and hoped that day would come, and he knew he would be there with open arms when it did. With a heavy sigh, Abiathar got up from the celebration and found his older son exactly where he thought he might be. He was pacing in the deserted inner courtyard of the home, the home he had built for his wife and children, the smell of roasted meat and the sounds of music wafted through the air from the main house only a few dozen yards away. The warm inviting light from next door cast long shadows across his son's courtyard. Even as he approached his son in the darkness, he could tell his anger had been stoked into a flame. He braced himself for what Amnon was surely going to hurl at him. Sure enough, Amnon headed towards his father, already worked up into a rage.

Abiathar (Father) (19:10)

Look, I've been slaving many years for you and I've never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends.

Narrator (19:21)

He shouted. He continued this one sided argument as Abiathar stood patiently before him, waiting for him to say everything on on his mind.

Abiathar (Father) (19:30)

But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him. It's not fair. Why does he get a greater measure of love than I? Am I not good enough? Have I not been faithful? Maybe I should leave you and return so I can get an ounce of the love you've shown him.

Narrator (19:55)

By the time Amnon had finished shouting, he was panting for breath, chest heaving, fists clenched into tight balls. Suddenly Amnon collapsed onto one of the nearby benches and sobbed. His wails echoed through the courtyard. Abiathar joined his son on the bench. He felt Amnon stiffen, but his breath was steady now as he sat beside him. Slowly, Abiathar placed a door gentle hand on his son's back. He felt Amnon begin to relax and they sat in the stillness of the courtyard for a few moments before the father looked at his son and said.

Abiathar (Father) (20:33)

Son, you are always with me and everything I have is yours.

Narrator (20:39)

Amnon had turned to look at him when he spoke, but now he was staring at the ground before him. His fists were no longer clenched and his shoulders slumped forward as he let out an audible sigh. The fiery anger that had engulfed him only moments before had been snuffed out. He couldn't be sure in the darkness, but Abiathar thought he saw his son's eyes glistening with tears. He prayed that this was the beginning of the softening of his heart with the tender heart of a father. Abiathar looked at his son and said.

Abiathar (Father) (21:15)

I celebrate your brother because he was lost, but now he is found. I celebrate as a father whose son was dead but is now alive again.

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Liberty Mutual Character (21:49)

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Narrator (21:51)

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Zach (Jesus Podcast Host) (21:52)

They see us.

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Zach (Jesus Podcast Host) (21:56)

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Zach (Jesus Podcast Host) (23:11)

Let's consider how this parable redefines our understanding of God in our lives. We often view God through the lens of our earthly experiences, sometimes as a distant authority, other times as a critical judge. Yet Jesus presents God as a loving father. This father isn't just waiting for us to make the first move. He's actively seeking us out, ready to embrace us even when we feel unworthy of his love. The Father in this parable has initiating love, a love that runs to the Son. The Father's initiating love teaches us to see beyond our sins to the very nature of our estrangement from him and, more importantly, the cost he's willing to bear to bring us home. Just as the Father ran to his son's embrace, Jesus marched up the cross for us. He is an initiating God, a God that wants us to repent, yes, but will do most of the work for us. In this story, Jesus also gives us a new lens of which to view our own mistakes. Both sons in the parable seek the father's inheritance, yet they miss the heart of their relationship with Him. This mirrors our own lives. How often do we see God's blessings without seeking God Himself? You see, true sin is the separation from God, a misplaced love that prioritizes his gifts over his presence. Jesus invites us into an understanding that salvation isn't just about tallying our good deeds, but about embracing a relationship with God grounded in love and grace. The oldest brother in this parable who stands on the sidelines angry and bitter, reminds us of the danger of self righteousness. Unlike him, Jesus is the true elder brother. We all need one who doesn't begrudgingly, someone who doesn't just begrudgingly accept us back, but who lays down his life for our return. This act of ultimate love that Jesus did on the cross and the sacrifice is what true salvation is about. It's not just about being found, but about being welcomed into a forever family at a great cost. So what does this mean for us today? It means that our identity as Christians isn't defined by our sinfulness or our moral achievements. Our identity is rooted in being loved by God so deeply that he would pay the ultimate price for our return. This understanding invites us into a new way of living. Repentance is not just about turning away from sin, but turning towards God's love, a love so profound that it transforms us from the inside out. As we go about our week, let's ponder these truths. Let's remember the initiating love of the Father, the new understanding of our sins, and a radical redefinition of our salvation. Let's seek not to be like the older brother, shaking our heads at other people who are stumbling forward through life. Let's live as beloved children of God, extending our reach towards those who are in need. You see, when we are fully known and fully loved and fully embraced by the Father, it empowers us to fully love, fully know and fully embrace others. Let's live lives that overflow the love of God. My prayer for you this week is that you would walk in the grace and love of the Father, knowing that you are cherished, you are sought after, and that you are welcome Homedom always. No matter what you've done, no matter where you've come from, the Father's arms are open wide for you. We are going to explore that concept for the next 20 episodes. After this, we're going to go through a new miniseries called Jesus and the Outcasts. We'll showcase a bunch of stories from the Gospel where Jesus extended his reach to those who are on the fringes of society or forgotten. Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt lost? Have you ever felt cast aside? These next 20 episodes are definitely for you. I can't wait to dive into them with you. If you've been enjoying this podcast so far, be sure to leave a review and give us your feedback. Also, make sure to share the podcast with a friend. That way we spread the message of hope all throughout the nations. God Bless.

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Zach (Jesus Podcast Host) (28:42)

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