Jesus told a story about a man who had two sons. One day the younger son demanded his inheritance, in effect telling his father ‘I wish you were dead!’. Surprisingly his father agreed, and the son was soon far from home and splashing the cash on parties for his newfound friends. Before long, however, the cash ran out and so did the friends, leaving the son destitute and wondering what to do now. How could he possibly go home after all he had said and done?
While the details may be different the story is a familiar one. Family breakdown leads to separation, homelessness and poverty with seemingly no way back. Unless someone makes the first move the division becomes permanent.
In the story Jesus told the son eventually heads for home. He’s afraid of what his father will say and has prepared a speech to say how sorry he is. To his surprise however, he discovers that his father has been longing for the day when he would return and welcomes him with open arms.
The story shows us that no matter how broken a relationship may be it can always be restored. It just takes someone to make the first move.
