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?

Luke 15:23-32

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)

This story of the prodigal son has been told over and over again.  We have heard it explained from three separate and unique vantage points.  And, depending on where we are life at the time we hear it, we will be impacted accordingly; with one having more influence over us than the other.

First we see the view point of the youngest son.  He demanded his inheritance so he could go out and see the world and find himself.  This man wanted more than the life he was living, he wanted adventure and freedom.  He needed to be his own man.

If you are a parent, you probably feel for the father of the young man.  You know what is happening in your son's head and his heart.  You understand what he is doing even if you don't approve.  You are smart enough to realize that children have to find their way in the world, they have to make their own mistakes for the lessons they learn to mean anything.

The oldest son feels betrayed.  Perhaps he would have liked to leave as well, but felt a sense of duty to stay with his father, maybe even offering himself up as a martyr, sacrificing his happiness.  Then again, perhaps he already sowed his wild oats and his father was unaware.  Not everyone leaves their home to find themselves.  Some of us just leave our values and morals behind and no one is the wiser.

There are numerous scenarios we can conjure up when studying this popular story.  This week as been filled with stories of relationships; how they fall apart and how vital it is to repair them.  What is the story on your heart this week?  Who is the character you relate to and what do you need to do to repair a relationship?  Don't wait...

Read the Luke 15:23-32 text here.  Listen to a reading of the text here.