Which Prodigal Son Are You?

Luke 15:11-32

What on earth can I write that is new and fresh about the prodigal son passage?  Haven't we all read this passage countless times?  And haven't we all heard many, many sermons based on Luke 15?

The term 'prodigal son' is one that is used in literature (see Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice among others), in music, in the arts and on the stage.  To call someone a 'prodigal' is to evoke this biblical passage.  We  focus on the younger son who comes home after sowing his wild oats, tail between his legs, realizing he made a huge mistake in spending his inheritance in sinful, wasteful living.

His father, however, sees it differently:  "While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (v. 20.)

Trust me on this:  fathers in Jesus' day didn't run to their sons.  Running wasn't manly.  It wasn't dignified.  But this father ran.  He threw a party.  "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (v. 24).

And so his family and friends rejoice.  Well, not so fast.....take a look at the older brother.  The older brother, who had faithfully served his father, who had never left home, who followed the rules.  What was this brother's response to the prodigal's return?  Resentment.  Deep-seated, bone-crushing resentment:  "The older brother became angry and refused to go in......" (v. 28).  Why should his profligate younger brother get all the attention, all the glory?

The father gently tells his older son that "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."  (vs. 31-32)

Luke doesn't tell us what happens next.  Does the older brother see the father's perspective?  Or does he continue to wallow in self-pity and self-righteousness?

Who is really the prodigal here?  I strongly recommend you read the excellent short book by Tim Keller on this passage, entitled Prodigal God. http://www.timothykeller.com/books/the-prodigal-god

Keller offers a fresh perspective on this age-old passage and he challenges those of us who have never left our faith to take stock of what we are really clinging to:  is it our rules and our 'goodness?' Are we earning our salvation?  Or are we, like the younger brother, willing to lose everything if only the father will welcome us home?