Jesus Christ’s parable of the Prodigal Son
is one of the most well known short stories
in the world.
But I think there are some unexplored lessons
in it that can help us be more effective in
saving unborn lives.
Indeed, the Parable of the Prodigal Son provides
pro-life people with a picture of the three
possible responses to unplanned pregnancy,
premarital sex, single parents, and any other
issues surrounding, and leading to, abortion.
To help us think outside the box and perhaps
read the story in a new light, we will re-name
the main characters.
Prodigal Pete grew up knowing that his dad
loved him and, presumably, that he should
live a moral life.
But he decided that the quiet farm life was
not for him; instead he wanted to party.
So instead of waiting for his father to die
to receive his inheritance, Pete demanded
that his father divide up his inheritance
while he was still living.
Amazingly, his dad said yes to this request.
Everyone knows what happened next.
Prodigal Pete ran off with daddy’s money,
spent it on immoral living, and found himself
penniless and in a ditch, satisfying his hunger
with the same slop as the pigs.
Talk about learning the cost of reckless living
the hard way.
At Care Net affiliates, our staff meet daily
with women and men who have much in common
with the prodigal son.
Disciples of a culture that promises consequence-free
sex and says that a happy life means “following
your heart no matter where it leads,” these
clients struggle to cope with unplanned or
unexpectedly complicated pregnancies.
Many of these clients already know that the
child in their womb is just that, a child.
For them, abortion is ending of a life—
a life that our culture has convinced them
is worth sacrificing.
Like the prodigal son, they know the truth,
but unfortunately, they reject it.
Next, we find Prodigal Pete’s dad, Gracious
Greg.
Greg watched his son take his inheritance
and reject all that he taught him.
Anger and bitterness would have been understandable
responses to Pete’s behavior.
Yet Greg expressed neither.
Instead, Jesus describes Greg as someone who
was constantly looking down the road for the
sight of his son’s return.
In fact, when Pete finally comes to his senses
and decides to throw himself on his father’s
mercy, Gracious Greg runs out to meet him.
What happens next is truly extraordinary.
Greg does not lecture his son about his immoral
living.
He does not berate him for wasting his inheritance.
He does not even say, “I told you so!”
Instead Greg calls for the servants, and asks
his best clothes be brought for Pete, that
the biggest ring to be placed on his finger,
and that the chefs to prepare the biggest
feast and invite the entire town to celebrate
Pete’s return.
He told his servants, “My son was dead,
but now he is alive.
He was lost, and now he's found.”
Greg’s response to Prodigal Pete’s extravagant
sin was extravagant grace.
Every day, our pregnancy centers do the same.
They welcome men and women caught with the
fruits of out-of-wedlock sex, facing the consequences
of poor relationship choices, or mourning
a prior abortion by lavishing them with compassion,
hope, and help.
Instead of condemnation for their sin, Care
Net throws a baby shower, celebrates their
pregnancies, and helps couples build their
relationship and form a God honoring family
whenever possible.
What's the result of this response?
Over eight out of ten Care Net pregnancy center
clients considering abortion choose life.
Many find abundant life in Christ, freedom
from their shame, and forgiveness for their
sin.
Grace that is truly transformative.
Last we have the elder brother.
Let’s call him Rule-keeper Ron.
Ron watched Pete go and spend all his inheritance
on sex and alcohol.
He watched him disrespect his father.
Meanwhile, Ron worked hard.
He kept the rules.
He looked forward to when he would receive
his inheritance, but he would wait until his
father died to enjoy it.
Rule-keeper Ron was someone everyone would
call a good son.
When Pete returned and Greg called for the
biggest party of the year to celebrate, Ron
wanted nothing to do with it.
Instead, he was angry and remained outside,
refusing to enter the party.
Concerned, Greg found him and asked why he
was upset.
Ron angrily responded by reminding his dad
of his hard work.
“Your son goes and spends everything on
prostitutes and comes back a penniless wreck
and gets a party, but I work hard and don’t
even get a goat to share with my friends.”
Greg reminded his eldest that all he had left
was his to enjoy and invited him to the party.
Yet Ron still refused.
Jesus’ parable ends here.
Gracious Greg and his son Prodigal Pete’s
relationship is restored and they celebrate
together.
But Rule-keeper Ron, still fuming with self-righteous
anger, is the on the outside while his family
celebrates on the inside.
As pro-life people, we will resemble Pete,
Greg, or Ron when engaging our pro-choice
culture.
If our desire is to save the lives of children
in the womb, while embodying the gospel of
Jesus Christ, Gracious Greg should be our
model.
After all, we are all sinners dependent on
an extravagant grace from God.
With the knowledge that we ourselves are Prodigal
Petes, we must reach out and embrace the refugees
of the Sexual Revolution with the grace with
which God embraces us.
If we don’t, if we decide that those who
spend their inheritance on immoral living
must be left to face the consequences alone,
then we can become Rule-keeper Ron and lack
the grace that God gives to us when we fail.
Not only will this mean more babies will die
in abortion, but we will cut ourselves off
from the call of Christ to seek and save the
lost.
So, whom does your response to abortion and
its cause resemble?
Prodigal Pete, Gracious Greg, or Rule-keeper
Ron?
The answer will determine how many lives you
will transform.
Amen?
Until next time, may God bless you daily as
you serve Him faithfully.
