Some years ago, Tim Keller published The Prodigal God: Rediscovering the Heart of the Christian Faith. In it, he reexamines the parable of the prodigal son—not by focusing on the younger son, but by reframing the father as the true “prodigal,” the one who lavishes extravagant grace. As Keller writes, “Jesus is showing us the God of Great Expenditure, who is nothing if not prodigal toward us, his children. God’s reckless grace is our greatest hope, a life-changing experience.”
Interestingly, the phrase “prodigal son” never appears in the biblical text. Yet Rembrandt’s famous painting, which bears that traditional title, offers viewers a similarly profound glimpse into the Father’s lavish love. In this classic piece from the Fall 2013 issue of Conversations Journal, Juliet Benner leads us in a rich meditation on the inescapable, overwhelming love of the Father.