[Falla39]

I still have a feeling that the prodigal son still wanted a "cleansing"

or a "good bath" even though his father may not have said, "Son, you

smell like a pig pen. Get cleaned up and then you can have the best

robe". No, the father was just so glad his son had returned". He had

no doubt been looking down that long road so long and not only looking

but going a distance, looking, longing, just a glimpse of his son. We know

that because when he was yet a GREAT way off, his father saw him, and

had compassion, and RAN , and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Sounds like

a true father to me. I wonder how many prodigals would come home with

that kind of reception from their father! All the time the son is telling his

father how unworthy he is, even to be called his son. but the father is

telling his servants to get the best robe (represents putting on righteous-

ness). The father tells the servants to put it on him. and put a ring (signet

ring, representing the family name) "For as many of you as have been bapti-

zed into Christ have put on Christ".(Gal.3:27) and put shoes on his feet.

I can almost imagine the son saying, "Father, I really need a bath. I feel

so dirty". He had been welcomed back, but he who had been in a "dirty"

enviroment, wanted to be clean or washed to re-enter the clean enviro-

ment to which he had returned. Can you blame him for wanting a cleansing

bath. It doesn't mention the father saying anything about a bath, but I

can assure you, the son was desiring one!!! (my thoughts!)

Maybe he could have been singing:

I wanna be washed in the Blood of the Lamb,
I need a cleansing from the Fountain.
My soul is hungry from this aching within,
I wanna be washed in the Blood of the Lamb.

So if someone has been handed the best robe, wouldn't YOU

want to be clean before putting it on. (Again, my thoughts)!

Blessings,

Falla39