Luke 15:11 - You all know the story of the prodigal son who squandered his inheritance in reckless living. Lost his money. Hoping now to be fed with the pigs. Came to himself. Went to his father. "I am no longer worthy to be called your son." So humble.
Did his father hold hope that he would return? Sounds like he did. He was watching for him to appear on his road one day. Is there anyone you are waiting for to knock on your front door or come through the back way? The father didn't go after his son, did he? No, the father waited on God---he knew that it would have to be a work of God, a work of faith, a work of hope.
The prodigal went home, a familiar road, shamed and broken. On that rocky road where he played safely as a child, from far off, the mixed-up son's eyes met the most welcomed unexpected surreal sight. His father was running to him. Embraced in the arms of his dad. Kissed all over like when he was a child on that road.
It's the best scenario possible when you've messed up grandly. Every day, we miss the mark and our Father's arms are WIDE-OPEN waiting for us.
"Father, I've sinned against heaven and you. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son." Did the father say: That's right, prodigal! You've so disappointed me. How could you have done such a thing? Where have you been? No, no, no. The Father came alongside the rebellious one. "Bring the Best Robe. A ring. Shoes. A Fattened Calf to Eat and Celebrate. My son was dead and is ALIVE again. He was lost and is FOUND."
The older brother heard the celebration, oh-so-quickly processing the song and dancel and became ANGRY and refused to go inside to see his wayward brother home. "Look at me, Dear Dad, look what I've done for you. Never disobeyed your command"---Really? ----How is that possible?----only if you are a pharisee.
Younger Brothers are way-too-self absorbed. Self-Obsession! They live out of their selfish addictions. Addicted to pleasure, comfort, fun, my way. I'll count the cost later. God wouldn't send me to hell, would he?
Older Brothers are way-too-righteous. Arrogance! They may do the right things but the joy is not there. They live out of duty not delight. They may be going through the motions, but all their contribution nets very little in the Kingdom. !Appreciate me! is their mantra.
What is stronger in me? Is it the pursuit of holiness or is it life working out in my favor, especially when those we love overlook our contributions. Am I more like the older brother or the younger brother? What flows out of my days? Peace in the middle of the success of others, even at my expense? Contentment smack dab when life overflows with troubles? Rest, no matter what happens?
What story resonates? Being an elder brother? Being a younger brother? And why won't I do something about it?
“At the root of all our disobedience are particular ways in which we continue to seek control of our lives through systems of works-righteousness. The way to progress as a Christian is to
continually repent and uproot these systems the same way we become Christians, namely by the
vivid depiction (and re-depiction) of Christ’s saving work for us, and the abandoning of self- trusting efforts to complete ourselves." Tim Keller
I have a couple of thoughts as I read this morning:
ReplyDelete"And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything." Nobody enabled him. I think so often we don't like to let our loved ones suffer so they don't have a chance to... "But when he came to himself, he said,..." They miss out on the step of getting to the end of themselves so they don't learn from their mistakes and keep making them over and over again. It's hard to watch them suffer, but if they don't they won't be desperate enough to come back home.
Also, I wonder why the older son called one of the servants to ask him about what was going on with the party? If he had gone straight to his father first he might not have had to get so angry! If they had had a conversation and he understood his father's thoughts he would have helped him plan the celebration.
Lord, help us let our loved ones suffer so they can get to the end of themselves and please help us to go straight to you first for understanding before we get angry and it comes out sideways!
You are right, Angie. The prodigal’s father waited patiently for him to come to his senses and return. He didn’t force him to come back so he learned his lesson by the consequences of his actions. The father was ready to respond with forgiveness, not a lesson and a lot of rules but a party. Full redemption.
ReplyDeleteWe love lavish forgiveness—except when it’s extended to someone else. I’m the elder brother way too often demanding justice and not wanting to quickly extend forgiveness even when I have already been given a double portion.
I need to say once more how much I am getting out of reading the New Testament slowly. I marvel at the building message taking these stories successively to see how we fail, how we return, how He responds—not just forgiving sinners but tenderly searching for them. Just this week, I saw how I miss the mark in surrendering my desires, dying daily, taking up my cross. And I was feeling quite overwhelmed at the end of chapter 14 as Jesus said, “Whoever does not give up everything cannot be my disciple.” Then, Jesus tells us how much our Father loves us, looks for us, rejoices as we turn back to Him, as sheep who wander away, a coin lost through no fault of its own, or a prodigal son who selfishly rejects his father’s authority. And, right when I need to hear it the most, He tells us that He forgives us wholly and even happily, and receives us with open arms.
I so need this “to take” in my walk. The control/surrender battle rages within me. Self righteousness raises its ugly head and tells me I still need to die more to self. I want loving forgiveness. I need to practice it toward others.
It helps to see the way the father takes the older son aside at the end to say, “you already have everything. I love you, too.” Even when…we have strayed like a sheep…defiantly and selfishly run away…or decided He is unjust and become angy, He waits and longs to lovingly forgive.
Like Mary Lou’s son said, “No matter how far you walk away from the Lord, He does not make you walk the same distance to get back to Him. All you have to do is make the turn and He is right there.” Thanks be to God!
I can't add anything more to what all of you have shared. This is such a tender message of the lost being found and the joy and celebration that followed.
ReplyDeleteThis one little phrase really catches my attention, though:
"But when he came to himself..."
The prodigal appears to have been involved in a behavior that took control of him. Doesn't this have the fingerprints of satan all over it?
Eve came under this same period of temptation and sin. Sure, no one forced her to sin. But she did something she knew she shouldn't have done.
Abraham and Hagar. Joseph and the attack of his very own brothers. David and his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba...that led to her husband's premeditated murder. And, eventually Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
Stay in the Word!
Remain close to your heavenly Father!
Guard yourselves against the deceit and temptation of the enemy to our souls!
None of us are exempt from falling for his lies. Be alert!