Jesus - The Revolutionary
Word was spreading fast that Jesus was in town. As the crowds gathered, people assembled with many different expectations. Luke 15 says that Jesus was surrounded by two particular groups: there were the “religious” and the “sinners.” The religious group consisted of the Rabbis and Jewish leaders. As Jesus called the people to repent and return to God, one would think that the religious elite would welcome the words of Jesus, but that was not the case. It seemed that the sinners and outcasts of society were more attracted to Jesus.
It is at this time that Jesus tells what is called the story of “the Prodigal Son." There are three main characters involved in this story. They are the father, the younger brother, and the older brother. Jesus begins the story this way: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' " (Luke 15:11-12 - NIV). It is important for us to understand the cultural background of Jesus’ day. In the Middle Eastern value system of that time, family was the heart of society. Wealth was primarily equated with land and what could be derived from the land. Land provided crops. Land was needed to nurture and multiply herds of animals. Families lived and grew in the land they owned. Very seldom did families spread from one region to another. This is a far different picture than what happens today. In our fast-paced, traveling culture, we might have family spread all over the country and even the world. Jesus spoke to a crowd that highly valued family, tradition, and honor.
When Jesus starts this story and reveals that the youngest son demanded his inheritance, the crowd would have gasped in shock. The listeners of Jesus’ day understood that such a demand was an attempt by the youngest son to destroy his family. He does not want to stay with his family. He, in effect, was saying to his father, “I wish you were dead!” The young man wanted the wealth and power that came with his father’s family, but he did not want the father. This was not merely a money-hungry young man; he was a self-serving individual who had no use for his family.
Why was Jesus telling such a pointed story? Jesus knew that there were many listeners in the crowd who had no real love for God. There have always been individuals like this. People who are in love with God’s stuff. People who want God to take care of them. People who want God’s protection. People who, as they ponder the next life, want to live in Heaven but are not interested in God. How many people are more interested in going to Heaven so that they can see long-missed loved ones instead of going to see God? Jesus tells this story so that His listeners might understand the value of family. Jesus takes the issue of “family” a little deeper than most ventured to understand. He wanted the crowd to know that God is a Heavenly Father who deeply and passionately loves every person. Jesus was a revolutionary in revealing God’s view on the true meaning of real, lasting family. Jesus was radical in demonstrating how much God loves His family. How are you doing with God? Are you in love with the stuff you can get from God or with God Himself? Keep looking up!