There is this inherent hope when we have done wrong that the consequences will not be severe. This starts when we are small children and continues into our adult lives. If we do something wrong, we truly want the offended party to believe our excuses, to show empathy - anything so long as to escape any punishment. We want that person, whether it be our parent, spouse, or boss to go easy on us. We want them to show us mercy and understanding.
On the other side of the coin, we hope that when others have wronged us that they will be shown the error of their ways. That whatever punishment they get will be memorable and the wrong-doer will never do it again. To prove my point, just drive along the highway when you see someone speeding - you hope that the cops will nail them. However, if you get stopped while speeding - well you hope to get off with just a warning.
This brings us to the story of the prodigal son in the book of Luke. A lot of people know this story, but I always enjoy reviewing stories in the bible that I "know" so well. It never fails that I find something new and enlightening each time.
For those who do not know, the story begins with a young man demanding half of his inheritance. Now, you get your inheritance almost entirely when your parent dies. The son is essentially saying to his father "I wish you were dead" or "you are dead to me". That's a pretty harsh statement to make. What kind of anger or emotion drives a person to wish another person were dead. How would that make you feel if someone said those kind of words to you? To the father's credit, he gives the son his share of the inheritance.
The son promptly squanders his fortune on partying, booze, and loose living. The "friends" he has leave once he can no longer provide the parties. He then has to work menial labor just to eke out an existence. He comes to the realization of the things he has done and decides to return to his father. He will go back, admit his sin to his father, and be treated as one of his father's servants.
But while he was far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. The image I get is that this father probably did this each day watching and waiting for his son to return. When he sees his son, he rushes out to him. He doesn't wait for his son to meet him - he goes out to him. He hears his son offer to be the father's servant. The father does not hold the prior harsh words against him, but is overjoyed that his son has returned. The father tells his servants to prepare a celebration for his son's return. "My son who once was dead is now alive"
Here the story could end. This shows God's mercy, his joy when we repent, and the Father's longing heart for us. But, Jesus continues the story to relate more about the prodigal son's brother. Now, I know Jesus doesn't just waste words just so we can say "Nice story, Jesus". So, he must have an important reason for relating the brother's reaction to everything that is happening. I believe that Jesus is stressing stuff that goes immediately into our hearts and how we react.
The brother refuses to take part in the celebration and his father goes out to plead with him. The brother complains about all the things his brother has done. The squandering of the wealth and the treatment towards their father. I am fairly sure these brothers did not get along. Here he always obeyed his father, never complaining and he never got a party. In his mind, his disobedient brother got what he deserved - he shouldn't be getting a party now. He should have gotten a kick in the rear not the fatted calf. His father tells him why.
"My son", the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found"
Jesus ends the story here without saying whether the brother goes into the party or not. Just like we are given free will to decide to follow or not.
I understand the prodigal son. I do dumb things, I make mistakes, I screw up. I hope to be treated the same way when I repent and turn back from my ways. However, I usually act like the brother when I see others get grace and mercy from their "crimes".
My attitude is similar to the brother's. How dare they get a celebration? I follow the rules, I do what is right and we celebrate this ungrateful punk's return? Life is so unfair!!!
There's a part of us that says that our brother didn't earn the right. We know what they did, so how do they get off scot free? Just because they said sorry? How do we know if they are sincere? How come I don't rate a celebration for being obedient?
We get that way and miss out on so much. We miss a person's repentance and God's joy in that. We get focused on our internal grumblings and miss out on the bigger picture. We put ourselves in a higher position than others.
The truth is that we have earned nothing. We don't deserve God's grace any more than the prodigal son. Our actions and words merit no higher standing than any other person. We need to remember that when we are on our knees repenting. The Lord wants a repentant heart. That's the most important thing. It is exciting when someone comes to the Lord for forgiveness and reunion. That is a cause for celebration.
I identify with both characters here - but I want to focus on the prodigal son's brother. I can become bothered when people repent that I don't think deserve grace. It all depends. How "big" of a sinner they are, or how great a "crime" comes to my mind. Or, the thought there are certain steps one needs to take to be truly repentant in our minds. Maybe, I just don't like the person or have been personally offended by them? Whatever. When I display this attitude, I miss out on what is important to God and His plans. God wants all to come to Him and repent and get healing. That is His desire and it should also be mine. But, like the brother I get conceited and judgmental on who is worthy to be forgiven.
It is because instead of God on my altar, I place my good works and intentions. Outwardly, I seem to be doing the right thing, but inwardly I am like the prodigal son, breaking the Father's heart with my refusal to share in his joy. I am also not acknowledging that it's a gift that he offers me and others. There is no amount of work or effort on my part that will make this happen. Falling into the trap of comparing ourselves with others and their sins will lead us down a path where we miss the heart of God. We are both prodigal son and his brother at different times of our lives during our walks with God.
The end of the story is inconclusive. Does the brother join the party or not? Jesus leaves us without an answer. There will be times we go celebrate and other times we won't. There are going to be lots of celebrations we will attend if we follow God. I hope we will take part in more of God's celebrations than we will miss. Besides, parties are more fun that wallowing in anger and bitterness right?
On the other side of the coin, we hope that when others have wronged us that they will be shown the error of their ways. That whatever punishment they get will be memorable and the wrong-doer will never do it again. To prove my point, just drive along the highway when you see someone speeding - you hope that the cops will nail them. However, if you get stopped while speeding - well you hope to get off with just a warning.
This brings us to the story of the prodigal son in the book of Luke. A lot of people know this story, but I always enjoy reviewing stories in the bible that I "know" so well. It never fails that I find something new and enlightening each time.
For those who do not know, the story begins with a young man demanding half of his inheritance. Now, you get your inheritance almost entirely when your parent dies. The son is essentially saying to his father "I wish you were dead" or "you are dead to me". That's a pretty harsh statement to make. What kind of anger or emotion drives a person to wish another person were dead. How would that make you feel if someone said those kind of words to you? To the father's credit, he gives the son his share of the inheritance.
The son promptly squanders his fortune on partying, booze, and loose living. The "friends" he has leave once he can no longer provide the parties. He then has to work menial labor just to eke out an existence. He comes to the realization of the things he has done and decides to return to his father. He will go back, admit his sin to his father, and be treated as one of his father's servants.
But while he was far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. The image I get is that this father probably did this each day watching and waiting for his son to return. When he sees his son, he rushes out to him. He doesn't wait for his son to meet him - he goes out to him. He hears his son offer to be the father's servant. The father does not hold the prior harsh words against him, but is overjoyed that his son has returned. The father tells his servants to prepare a celebration for his son's return. "My son who once was dead is now alive"
Here the story could end. This shows God's mercy, his joy when we repent, and the Father's longing heart for us. But, Jesus continues the story to relate more about the prodigal son's brother. Now, I know Jesus doesn't just waste words just so we can say "Nice story, Jesus". So, he must have an important reason for relating the brother's reaction to everything that is happening. I believe that Jesus is stressing stuff that goes immediately into our hearts and how we react.
The brother refuses to take part in the celebration and his father goes out to plead with him. The brother complains about all the things his brother has done. The squandering of the wealth and the treatment towards their father. I am fairly sure these brothers did not get along. Here he always obeyed his father, never complaining and he never got a party. In his mind, his disobedient brother got what he deserved - he shouldn't be getting a party now. He should have gotten a kick in the rear not the fatted calf. His father tells him why.
"My son", the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found"
Jesus ends the story here without saying whether the brother goes into the party or not. Just like we are given free will to decide to follow or not.
I understand the prodigal son. I do dumb things, I make mistakes, I screw up. I hope to be treated the same way when I repent and turn back from my ways. However, I usually act like the brother when I see others get grace and mercy from their "crimes".
My attitude is similar to the brother's. How dare they get a celebration? I follow the rules, I do what is right and we celebrate this ungrateful punk's return? Life is so unfair!!!
There's a part of us that says that our brother didn't earn the right. We know what they did, so how do they get off scot free? Just because they said sorry? How do we know if they are sincere? How come I don't rate a celebration for being obedient?
We get that way and miss out on so much. We miss a person's repentance and God's joy in that. We get focused on our internal grumblings and miss out on the bigger picture. We put ourselves in a higher position than others.
The truth is that we have earned nothing. We don't deserve God's grace any more than the prodigal son. Our actions and words merit no higher standing than any other person. We need to remember that when we are on our knees repenting. The Lord wants a repentant heart. That's the most important thing. It is exciting when someone comes to the Lord for forgiveness and reunion. That is a cause for celebration.
I identify with both characters here - but I want to focus on the prodigal son's brother. I can become bothered when people repent that I don't think deserve grace. It all depends. How "big" of a sinner they are, or how great a "crime" comes to my mind. Or, the thought there are certain steps one needs to take to be truly repentant in our minds. Maybe, I just don't like the person or have been personally offended by them? Whatever. When I display this attitude, I miss out on what is important to God and His plans. God wants all to come to Him and repent and get healing. That is His desire and it should also be mine. But, like the brother I get conceited and judgmental on who is worthy to be forgiven.
It is because instead of God on my altar, I place my good works and intentions. Outwardly, I seem to be doing the right thing, but inwardly I am like the prodigal son, breaking the Father's heart with my refusal to share in his joy. I am also not acknowledging that it's a gift that he offers me and others. There is no amount of work or effort on my part that will make this happen. Falling into the trap of comparing ourselves with others and their sins will lead us down a path where we miss the heart of God. We are both prodigal son and his brother at different times of our lives during our walks with God.
The end of the story is inconclusive. Does the brother join the party or not? Jesus leaves us without an answer. There will be times we go celebrate and other times we won't. There are going to be lots of celebrations we will attend if we follow God. I hope we will take part in more of God's celebrations than we will miss. Besides, parties are more fun that wallowing in anger and bitterness right?
Good stuff, Chris! Have you read the Prodigal God by Timothy Keller? Check it out if you haven't... a nice, quick read but so powerful.
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