Have you ever been surprised by a response? Or shocked that someone is not nearly as upset as you anticipated them to be?
The prodigal son in Jesus’ Luke 15 parable is greeted by his father as he humiliatingly returns from squandering his family’s wealth and his entire financial future, and the son is shocked by his father’s greeting. The father sprang to his feet and began running to meet his returning son on the horizon. He not only runs full of compassion but embraces and kisses his son. This is a shocking response for the son. He was anticipating a reluctant, punitive, scolding father. In fact, he started with it in his script to potentially claim a spot as a hired hand.
But as he began his speech,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son,”
the father interrupted and sent his servant to get the best robe, a ring, and shoes. The father’s intention was to restore his son to his rightful place as a son. He would be clothed as a son and even given the signet ring with the family seal like a first century family credit card. There was no servant option for a son. Only full sonship.
Once a Son, Always a Son
Now, a son could do servant things but still always as a son. The grace of God reveals that sonship cannot be lost by bad behavior or poor choices. The only way sonship can be lost is by the son’s rejection of the role, by their declaration of emancipation from their parents or, in this case, the Lord. The father never rejects his son.
And like the two previous stories, this story ends with a celebration. A party!
A party for a lost son returned. The father’s dead son was alive. The father’s lost son was found. Incredible cause for family celebration. And in the heavenly realms, our heavenly Father and his angels always celebrate the return of the lost one.
The Older Brother
However, unlike the other two previous stories in Luke 15, this story has an addendum: The older brother. While the faithful sheep and secure coins do not have a response to the found one, the older brother does.
So back in the field, the older brother hears the party and asks what is going on. A servant informs him,
“Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.” (Luke 15:27)
What would we expect the older brother to do? Run into the house to greet his younger brother? Rejoice and be glad his brother is safe? Greet him heroically like a brother returned from war?
But he does not. He meets him with the consternation and rejection that the younger brother had expected from his father.
“But he was angry and refused to go in.” (Luke 15:28)
So what happened? The father once again met his son where he was. This time not ashamedly returning from the squandering of a wasted life but resentfully refusing to celebrate. The father came and met his older son in his bitterness.
An Addict Returned
This is much the same response siblings or other family members can have toward an addict returned. Filled with the resentments that the older son expresses,
“Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when his son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!” (Luke 15;29,30)
I have done all the right things, even carried the heavier burdens of the younger son’s absence, and yet I never got a party or credit or praise.
But recognize in Jesus’ story, the father (God) always comes to meet his children where they are, in whatever state they may be. God, the Father, always runs to his children whether in repentant humiliation or self-righteous resentment.
In this situation, the father entreats his older son.
“Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15;31,32)
“This Son of Yours”
Tragically, as badly as the younger son had misinterpreted his father and did not understand him, so had his older brother. He rejected his younger brother as his and called him, “this son of yours.” And he felt like his brother was getting away with something for his irresponsible behavior. His father pointed out that the older son’s reward was that he got to continuously enjoy the family blessings while his younger brother had lost them.
Many times, the loyal family members who choose the responsible path feel like they missed out on all the fun. But the truth is they have been protected from all the pain that the irresponsible brother had suffered—pains, traumas and injuries that can never be erased. There is no getting away with sin in forgiveness and grace. It always leaves a devastating mark—scars for life.
The Story Unfinished
Interestingly, Jesus leaves the story unfinished. What did the older brother do? That is the question the Pharisees and scribes get to answer. That is the question loyal family members get to answer. That is the question good church members get to answer. Will we join our brothers at the party with the father or stay out in the field of judgment with our resentments and bitterness? Will we be friends of tax collectors and sinners? We get to decide that.
Will you join us today in risking and searching to restore the lost one that we may celebrate? Rejoice with us!