The Death That Saved

Introduction

Inspired by the profound truth of Romans 5:8—“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”—and the timeless parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), this article delves into the depths of unconditional love, grace, and forgiveness. These themes are brought to life through a story from Agogo-Adé, a fictional town where a father’s unimaginable love for his wayward son offers powerful lessons for our lives today.

A Son’s War Against Love

The story begins with a son who harbored inexplicable hatred for his father, seeking his death and even consulting diabolical means to hasten it. His contempt was so evident that the entire community turned against him, ostracizing him as a “curse of the gods.”

Despite the son’s animosity, his father—a revered chief known as Ifé-Gbogbo—persisted in loving him. He endured humiliation, physical attacks, and the heartbreak of his son demanding his inheritance, a request akin to declaring his father dead. Yet, the father complied, hoping his son would eventually come to his senses. This echoes the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, who granted his son’s request and awaited his return with open arms.

The Father Who Had Already Died

The father’s actions reveal a deeper truth: he had already “died” in a figurative sense. He died to his pride, his anger, and his rightful indignation. Instead of retaliating, he chose to endure the pain of rejection, holding onto the hope of his son’s redemption.

This sacrificial love mirrors the heart of Romans 5:8: while humanity was steeped in sin, Christ willingly gave His life for us. Similarly, the father in Agogo-Adé exemplifies the grace that loves not because of merit but despite sin and rebellion.

The Prodigal’s Journey: From Ruin to Redemption

The son’s journey away from home led to a life of waste and despair. His inheritance, squandered on indulgence, left him destitute. In his lowest moments, he recalled his father’s prayers and persistent love, realizing that his father’s grace had been present even when he sought to destroy him.With a repentant heart, he decided to return home, expecting condemnation but instead discovering a legacy of love. Tragically, he learned that his father had passed away during his absence. Yet, even in death, his father’s love endured, as the community recounted his unwavering hope and prayers for his son’s return.

This aligns with the redemptive arc of the Prodigal Son. While the biblical father was alive to welcome his son, both stories emphasize a love that persists despite rejection and failure—a love that mirrors God’s grace toward us.

Lessons from Agogo-Adé: Becoming the Father

The story challenges us to shift our focus. While it’s natural to relate to the wayward son or empathize with the elder brother, the greater call is to emulate the father. Just as the father in Agogo-Adé loved his son unconditionally, we are called to love others with the same relentless grace. This kind of love is not easy. It requires dying to our pride, forgiving those who hurt us, and seeing beyond the sins of others to their potential for redemption. As 1 Corinthians 13:7 reminds us, love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

The Mystery of Grace

The father’s love for his son is a reflection of the divine love described in Romans 5:8. While we were still sinners—lost, broken, and undeserving—Christ saw something in us worth dying for. This is a love that transcends human understanding and challenges us to love others in the same way. As the father in Agogo-Adé demonstrated, grace sees beyond sin to the possibility of redemption. It is a love that forgives repeatedly, prays unceasingly, and hopes relentlessly. This love is not passive but active, intentional, and often sacrificial.

Conclusion

The story of the father and son from Agogo-Adé, the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and the profound truth of Romans 5:8 all point to a love that defies human logic. It is a love that dies to self, forgives without limits, and persists even in the face of rejection. As we reflect on these stories, we are challenged to move beyond mere admiration and seek to embody this love in our own lives. For as the hymn so beautifully captures:

“Amazing love! How can it be

That Thou, my Lord, shouldst die for me?”

Let us strive to love others as Christ loves us, extending grace and forgiveness even when it seems impossible. In doing so, we reflect the heart of the Father—a heart that never gives up, never loses hope, and always seeks redemption.

References

• Holy Bible, Romans 5:8 (NIV)

• Holy Bible, Luke 15:11-32 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son)

• Holy Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:7