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Change of Heart

November 15th, 2023

Luke 15:20-27

Joyful or frustrated. These two opposing feelings are flowing through the story of the Prodigal Son. The father, who represents God, was joyful when he sees his younger son a long way off; he runs to him! The older son, however, is frustrated. He has been dutiful and knew he was better than his younger brother because he never left.

The difference between the two brothers by the end of the story is their hearts. The younger brother had a heart change. His heart went from hard to soft. Where he did not desire to be a part of the family before, he deeply desired to be a part of the family again, though he did not feel worthy. The Father rejoiced that the son he imagined to be dead was alive! The older brother did not have a heart change. His heart was hard and remained hard.

The Father extended the same invitation to the older brother to join in the celebration, but the older brother gave in to his hardness of heart. God is waiting and yearning to throw a party when a change of heart takes place.

Author: Cara Shonamon