Long before dawn this morning, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Jesus’ parables about the prodigal son who returned to his father’s love. Though dysfunctional, this family would look quite normal in today. In the story, we find a generous and merciful father, a selfish younger son, and his resentful and bitter older brother. There are so many principles we could learn from each one of these individuals.
I would far rather focus on the mercy, grace, and unconditional love of the father, but today, I am in awe of the redemptive process within the run-away son. However, I am personally challenged the most by the Father’s tender plea to harsh and resentful oldest son.
Process isn’t my favorite word. I prefer a “suddenly!” An instantaneous resolve to relationships! Unfortunately, God works through process — quite often a long, difficult process.
“Jesus continued: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate,” So he divided his property between them.”
Luke 15:11-12
I can almost hear the gasps of the crowd listening to Jesus that day. What adjectives rolled through their minds — egotistical, greedy, narcissistic? Such disrespect and audacity were beyond description and worthy of being cast from society. Insolence like this deserved banishment. People displayed their disgust by throwing broken pieces of pottery at the offender, signifying there would be no turning back.
Doesn’t this young man represent the majority of people, young and old, in our affluent cultures. “I want it all! I want it now!” we rant.
Self-Centered
To be egotistical means to be excessively conceited, or absorbed in oneself, or self-centered. Was there ever a time when people in general were any more selfish and lacking in empathy for others than now?
“Give me my share,” the son demanded. “I’ don’t have to wait until you die. I want every part of my inheritance NOW!” His father quietly obliges, giving his son the full measure of his demands while knowing he lacked the character and maturity to steward it well.
The father in the parable, of course, represents our Heavenly Father. The wayward son represents us all.
Selfishness weaves inseparably through our DNA. Impatience refuses restraint. Yet despite our arrogance and knowing the outcome of our selfishness, the Father allows us personal choice. We will inevitably reap the consequences of our foolish actions. The Bible warns, “God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
Far too many people share the pain of the loving Father. They have watched their son or daughter, spouse or friend, chose the path to nowhere. Perhaps you do too.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.”
Luke 15:13
The prodigal wasted no time. He mockingly took everything his father had to offer. The desire for immediate gratification led the prodigal son away from his father’s presence and into a life of recklessness. Separation often results in spiritual and moral decline. By cashing in his inheritance, the son treated his father as good as dead. His leaving was the final act of rejection. He ran hard. He ran far and fast.
Slippery Slope
Rebellion always leads to destruction. A quick sequence of bad choices leaves the son destitute. He denied himself nothing — wild living, parties, and prostitutes. With the money gone and no means to run any further, he sat alone and hungry among pigs.
“He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.”
Luke 15:16
Our Heavenly Father sees the outcome even before the beginning of our fall. He longs to spare us the painful consequences of sin. Yet, His unconditional love restrains Him. Why do we so often need to hit bottom before we turn back to Him? How low the bottom drops as we run further and further from the One able to rescue and save? How agonizing for every parent, spouse, child, and friend to watch the rapid descent down the slippery slope of shame, regret, and even death.
Everyone but the prodigal son clearly sees the path ahead. Many try to warn the wayward one — too self-absorbed to take heed or take instruction.
The Road Home
Remember those broken shards of pottery strewn along the road? The prodigal son must now follow the same shattered road home to his Father. Even though the Father waits, the return will not be smooth.
In repentance, the son appears to remain self-serving. He had hit the brick wall of his selfish actions. The party had long ago ended. Friends found others to feed their sensual appetites. One option remained. Return to the Father.
Yet, we find true marks of true repentance in the prodigal son.
“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” So he got up and went to his father.”
Luke 15:18-20
“I have sinned!” The confession of anyone truly repentant. “I am unworthy of sonship.” A truth for us all — unworthy beggars, ever dependent on the grace of our Heavenly Father. And of course, the Father did then what He does now. He is overjoyed with the return of the one — the lost one come home, the wayward one returning to his senses, the defiant one humbled by life’s tough knocks.
Trust Broken
Although the father welcomed His prodigal son home, the older brother found it impossible to forgive. The insolent attitude of his kid brother had struck like pieces of firey shrapnel, wounding his heart and forever tainting his perceptions. He had lived through the months, or perhaps years, of his father’s anguish. The sins of his brother had torn through the family like a jagged knife, leaving scars deep and wide.
There is no such thing as isolated sin. No sinner hurts only themselves.
The injustice and anger within the older brother had plenty of time to fester and turn from bitterness and hatred. He bore the weight of offense on behalf of his father. Now that the son returned, it wasn’t easy to lay it down.
I wish I couldn’t relate, but I do! Blatant injustice pierces all sense of righteousness and order. The indiscriminate tramping on the poor and innocent batters against our core values. I know what it feels like to have anger turn to hatred, and then for God to confront my deeply buried sin. Too often, I have seen too many people squander God’s love and mercy only to run again after the shallow solace of fleeting pleasures. The lack of empathy for those they wound in their selfish pursuit becomes irreconcilable. It is hard — extremely hard — to fully receive and forgive the one who comes “home.” Hard, yes. Impossible? No.
May I, and we, listen to the Father’s gentle plea to share His joy.
“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.”
Luke 15:31-32
Still Waiting
Today, many people stand with the Father waiting for a prodigal to come to their senses and return. They watch for the slightest glimpse of the one they love. They have wept many tears and prayed long hours for the turn around and the breakthrough. The days have been long. The nights longer.
First, must come repentance — a recognition and acknowledgement of sinful and selfish actions. Then comes a humbling and seeking forgiveness. Finally, the perceverance through months and years to restore broken trust. Sometimes, it comes. Often, it doesn’t.
The unquenchable love the Father shown to everyone in the family stands out the most to me. He is ever-patient and exceedinly gracious. He honors each person’s journey to resolve broken relationships. No quick fixes or easy answers to tough questions and difficult circumstances. No suddenlies. The only hope, for them and for us, is to return to unbroken fellowship with our Father, repenting of our own sinful heart condition and trusting Him through every step of the healing process. Never pushing. Never rushing. Standing upon the truth of His Word, aligning ourselves with Him, and receiving His love and forgiveness will take us there. Gradually healing will come as we submit to His will and surrender the ultimate outcome completely to Him.
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