We think of the prodigal son from Christ’s famous story in Luke 15 as someone who selfishly took his share of his father’s inheritance before the man was even dead. Then he took that wealth and wasted it on drunken parties and prostitutes. How could we compare Jesus to him?
Dave Holland, award-winning author and minister, just released his new book, “Prodigal Jesus: Journey Back to the Father,” on March 20, making this very comparison. He writes:
Look how Christ resembles the prodigal son. Surrounded by indescribable glory in a massive home called heaven, Jesus departs, taking his inheritance of grace and mercy with him. The Son left his wealthy Father seeking a faraway place where depravity ruled.
Christ spent his time with sinners such as drunkards, prostitutes, and tax collectors. Crucified a criminal, he bore the sins of the human race and carried them into the depths of the grave and hell itself. Jesus then turned toward home, where his Father longed for his return. Finally, Christ laid his blood on the altar, asking forgiveness for all who have sinned.
Ultimately, Prodigal Son Jesus became what he would be – the son who came home to his Father’s house. The Son of God displayed the great love he has for us by his presence with us. Christ came to our faraway country and lived under the influence of our evil domain to lead us back to the Father.
Pastor Dave shares 40 daily Bible study devotions to inspire his readers. Based on the Gospel of Luke, his book is squarely grounded in the word of God. His stories and applications make the book practical for modern life. Concluding each devotion with a brief prayer, the reader faces the day with fresh faith.
You can purchase this new book at Amazon.com or on the website DaveHolland.Org. You can contact pastor Dave at davidvholland54@gmail.com, or on his Facebook page, Dave Holland, author. He is available to speak at churches and conferences.
Holland lives to help people become more like Jesus. His life’s mission is to love God and love people. He has been serving God for more than 50 years and finds that Jesus is the sole foundation of Christian living.
Dave has pastored churches for 38 years and learned that the church and Jesus are not the same. He planted a thriving church in Brockton, Mass., starting with 16 people. The church grew and launched seven other congregations in New England. He also led a church in Uxbridge, Mass., and pastored in Nebraska and Colorado. He and his wife, Jonie, have retired in Destin.
Dave graduated from Life Pacific College in 1979 and was ordained in 1981. While pastoring in New England, he earned his Master of Arts from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1997. “God spoke to me the first day I attended classes: ‘Education tends to pride. Study hard but don’t let it go to your head,”’ he said. He also graduated with a Master of Arts in English from Grand Canyon University in 2019.
Dave studied the gospel of Luke for more than 12 years while writing the Daily Jesus Series. Christmas Jesus is the first installment, followed by Every Day Jesus, covering the first four chapters of Luke. Extraordinary Jesus looks at Luke 5-9 and Prodigal Jesus brings us through chapter 15 of Luke.
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