What do the Prodigals mean to me?
Jesus is trying to teach a lesson using three parables. If I could sum it up into a few words, the object lessons of all of them individually and combined are about the extravagant love that God has for us. And, this same extravagant and forgiving love is what we should bear each other.
The younger son, Philip, was obviously physically lost. He was described as being in a “distant country.” But we can imagine the father was always hopeful that his son would return someday. We can almost picture him gazing out at the road every now and then.
When he finally sees his son coming, he begins to run. No amount of dignity can keep hiom from his lost child. There was no reserve, no holding back on his love.
He didn’t do what we are all tempted to do when our loved ones come back to us. He doesn’t make his son go through a trial or a testing period to see if he measured up. He didn’t have his son sign a contract looking for some guarantee that he wouldn’t ever take advantage of him again. The son wasn’t even able to give his well-rehearsed confession before his father grabbed him up. This initial embrace was followed by lavish and symbolic display of affection and sonship, i.e., a robe, a ring, new sandals, and a feast. All of these things speak of being totally restored as a son.
Do you recognize yourself here?
Then we have Dave, Jr., the older brother. This son is lost in a much more subtle way and the feasting brings out the worst in him. Jesus said that the elder son was out “in the field” as opposed to the “distant country.” He was at home, physically. He was responsible. He was industrious. He would never think of wasting his father’s resources. He was doing all the right things.
When he hears the sounds of a celebration and finds out that his younger brother has returned home, his mind is filled with anger and questions as he approaches the house. “Why is everyone celebrating? Why are the servants not working? Why celebrate the homecoming of my dumb brother who’s made my father look like a fool? Why does he get a party? I’ve been here all of this freaking time, working like a slave, never once left home, and no one has ever done anything for me? I’ve been doing this for all of these years and this is what happens? He gets a calf for a feast, and I never even get A GOAT!”
By the time he reached the house, he is furious and so angry and jealous that he refused to go inside. He would not dignify the celebration with his presence because, at least in his mind, the favor and affection that is being bestowed on his little brither should be his. He earned it!
Can’t you hear the wheels grinding in his head? “I’ve earned the right to have a party in my honor. My little brother hasn’t done squat to benefit this family, and this is just plain wrong. I’m not running around for him. I refuse to buy into this farce.”
And, although the younger brother blatantly had entered the far country, this older brother had drifted into that same distant place… inside his heart. He couldn’t forgive.
And if we think about this, it looks as though the elder son, by the end of the story, has switched places with the younger son. The older son now finds himself far away from home, estranged from his father.
Many of us have gone into the far country much more subtly, just like Dave, Jr. We have not squandered our God-given resources and blessings, but we have wandered away from our fullest potential because of our own bad attitudes, negative thinking or an unforgiving spirit.
Which son are you?
We cut short or destroy our blessings from God and others by having a hardened heart.
Walking around with a scowl and telling everyone else what they should be doing, or how to do things properly, will not win you friends or help you influence poeople.
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