Hebrews 6 and the Prodigal Son

“For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift, become partakers of the Holy Spirit, tasted the good word of God and the miracles of the coming age, and then have committed apostasy, to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God for themselves all over again and holding him up to contempt.” (Hebrews 6)

This text is somewhat troubling… the idea that if someone falls away from the faith that he cannot return, i.e. he is eternally lost. I guess it’s troubling because we have all known those who have rejected Christ but have in some point in the future come back. What exactly is their condition with God? I think the parable of the “Prodigal Son” helps explain these verses. Remember that the son was raised to adulthood but rebelled against his father and went to a far off land where he lived a wild life… alcohol, women, etc. totally rejecting the teachings of his father. Note that the father did not travel to that far off land and yank his son by the ear back home. Why? because it would do no good. The son had to realize and experience the consequences of his actions and come home on his own free will. Similarly, those who have known Christ and rejected him cannot be drug back to the Lord. It won’t do a bit of good to re-explain and hammer on them about what Christ has done for us. They already know that. They too must realize the consequences of their decisions and come back on their own. And like the father who rejoiced at the return of his son, so too Jesus Christ rejoices at the return of his sons and daughters.