Each one of us can relate in some way to the parable Jesus told about a prodigal son, his father, and his older brother. (Luke 15:11-32)
First, there is the son who was restless and driven to experience whatever sinful pleasures money could buy. As often happens, it wasn’t until his money ran out that he began to reflect upon just how good he had it before he went off on his lustful tangent. Such is the nature of man. We feel driven at times. We get tempted. And if we are not careful, we make decisions which are rooted in fantasy rather than reality. The prodigal son chased his fantasy, but his fanciful dream eventually turned into a nightmare. You could say he hit rock bottom. And so there was no place to look but up.
This is the point in the story where the love of the Father explodes onto the scene. No condemnation. No guilt-trips. No waving of the finger while saying, “I told you so.” Nothing but love, pure and unconditional. And the love of the father in this parable points to the amazing grace and endless love of our great and mighty God.
The third character in the parable is the older brother. While the father was busy throwing a huge party for his prodigal son, the older brother was fuming because he felt like it wasn’t fair. After all, he had stayed home and tended to his duties while the prodigal son was out living it up. So why should the party animal be treated like a guest of honor? The self-righteousness was pouring out of the older brother when he scolded his father. No love. No compassion. No thanksgiving. Just anger and selfishness. Such is the nature of man’s heart when it is flowing in pride rather than flowing in gratitude and grace. Each one of us is prone to behaving in a similar way toward those who have strayed from the path and then returned home.
This is our challenge, whether we are tempted to pursue sin in the world like the prodigal son, or sin while at home like the older brother. If I am running from God, then I can learn much from the prodigal son. If someone needs my forgiveness and acceptance, I can learn much from the father. And if I feel like I am not getting my fair share and that a “big sinner” is being shown too much mercy, I can learn a lot by studying the angry response of the older brother.
Which one of these three characters best describes your life today? Are you chasing sinful fantasies? Or perhaps stewing in self-righteous snootiness? If so, just remember: It’s not just a matter of coming home. It’s a matter of loving each one of those who are in the home, whether we feel like they deserve it or not.
The fact of the matter is that you and I do not deserve God’s grace and mercy. And yet that is exactly what we have been given through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s only when we immerse ourselves in the immensity of God’s ultimate sacrifice that we begin to experience the compassion and the wisdom of the father in this parable. (DAN DELZELL)