Today, let’s look at a familiar parable of Jesus, found in Luke chapter 15, and see how it applies to our lives today.
Notice how Jesus introduces the parable in verse 11 in this way: “A man had two sons.” Although we often call this story the parable of the prodigal son, it is clear there are lessons to be learned from the father’s interactions with both sons.
It is interesting that the father went out into the field twice – to meet each son individually. He recognized that he needed to minister to each son in a different way, because each had a different need.
We see the father’s preparation for the wayward son to return – he waits in hopeful observation. Verse 20 says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Notice that the father did not run out and retrieve the son from his sin. Nor did the father compromise his house with sinful or questionable activities, to lure the wayward son back home.
Instead, the father waits for the son to repent and return. And, although the text does not specifically mention this, I would guess that the father also prayed for his son to repent and return. The sincere prayer of a parent for his or her wayward child helps both the child and the parent, during this time of waiting for their return.
The father knew that the wayward son needed welcoming love and forgiveness. And he knew that the wayward son needed to experience this love and forgiveness from not only himself, but from others as well. So, the father himself did not put the robe, ring, and sandals onto the returning son. Instead, in verse 22 he instructs his servants to do so. By doing so, the father is helping to create a community of redemption and restoration, with which to collectively celebrate his son’s return. In other words, the wayward son did not need a lecture. He needed a connection – to family and community.
The older son, seeing the attention that the father was giving to the wayward son, became angry and would not come in from the field. The father then went out into the field to speak with his older son (verse 28). The older son, in answering his father, refers to his brother with these words in verse 30: “This son of yours…” The father explains the reasons for his loving response to the wayward son, and then in verse 32 identifies the wayward son with these words: “Your brother…” Do you see how the father is helping his older son to view the returning son - not as the father’s son, but as his brother? Here is an application: We should stay connected to the broken people around us. Don’t be judgmental, or point to others’ sin and say in a critical way, “Those people!” This creates a culture of “us” versus “them.”
Our culture is becoming increasingly divided. I believe it is up to followers of Jesus to move toward more connection with the people around us, to change this trend of division within society.
The following are just a few of the many instances where Jesus is our example of interacting and sharing life with everyone, including those that are different than us, or even at odds with us:
Jesus said to not just tolerate our enemies, but to actually love them – Luke 6Jesus approached and spoke to a woman at a well who was a Samaritan (a people group hated by the Jews). He was patient and kind, and even offered her “living water” – John 4Jesus’ choice of His disciples included some that we would not choose:Matthew – a hated tax collectorJudas – a person that Jesus knew from the beginning would betray HimJesus modeled respect for all people:He respected and valued women – Mark 1, Luke 7 and 13He respected and valued children – Mark 10He respected and compassionately ministered to the downtrodden, poor, sick, and those in bondage. He even states in Luke 4 that this is part of the purpose for which He came.
We must bring biblical principles of life to our culture in a winsome way, in a manner that reflects the ways and nature of God. We must do our part to move culture away from the “us” versus “them” model and toward a model that says that all people are created in the image of God and worthy of our respect. We must be like the father of the wayward son, who never gave up on that son, but welcomed him with open arms. Like him, we must help to create within the body of Christ a community of redemption and restoration, with which to collectively celebrate everyone who turns to Jesus. Those that are “of the world” do not need a lecture. They a connection – to family and community within the body of Christ.
Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”
(Portions of this devotion were inspired by a sermon by Kris Vallotton.)