Which Son Are You?

           Jesus tells a story about a dysfunctional family that revolves around a father and two sons.  Last week, we examined this story and noted that the younger son made an audacious demand on the father.  The younger son demanded that the father give him his inheritance.  The problem was, an inheritance was never given before the death of the family patriarch.  In essence, the son was saying to the father, “I wish you were dead.” This young son is deservedly called the prodigal son.  He not only disrespects his father, but he also leaves town with his undeserved inheritance and wastes it on wild living.  This younger brother is an example of wasted opportunities.  Jesus tells this story with the intent of illustrating a life of rebellion and foolishness.

            Consider with me a moment as we take this story apart.  Jesus was speaking to a crowd that had differing motivations regarding God.  Luke 15 says that a large portion of Jesus' listeners were “sinners."  This designation was not designed as a way to explain the idea that we are all fallen individuals (which we are).  When Luke said that “sinners” were listening to Jesus, he was pointing to the fact that many disreputable people were taking the time to listen to Jesus’ message.  The “riff-raff” of society had heard about Jesus and had come to check Him out.  When Jesus talks about a young son who made foolish, bad, and impulsive decisions, these folks knew exactly what He was talking about.  They had done the same.  They undoubtedly understood that Jesus knew they could relate to the situation of the younger son.

           The younger son was estranged from the father because of willful, sinful decisions.  The older son was not any better.  As Luke 15 recounts Jesus telling this story where a son rebels against his Father and learns humility, the story takes an unexpected turn.  When the repentant younger son returns to his father, ready to confess his guilt, the son did not expect the father to take him back as a son.  To the younger son’s amazement, the father extends mercy, grace, and forgiveness.  When the father graciously throws a party to celebrate the restoration of the younger son, the older son is introduced.  The older son hears about the “welcome home” celebration and refuses to attend.  Do not misunderstand what Jesus is describing here.  Just as the younger son rejected the father, the older son does the same.  While it is easy to see the obvious flaws of the younger son, the sin of the older brother deserves notice as well.  The older brother feels that his years of “faithful service” give him a claim to the father’s wealth and status.  The older brother thought that he was beyond respecting and loving his father.  The older brother felt that the father “owed” him.

Both sons were dismissive of the father.  Both sons were fixated on the wealth of the father.  Both sons were in need of correction.  As Jesus finished His story and described both wayward sons, the implications were clear.  Both sons were in the wrong.  Rejecting the father is just as damning as serving the father out of loveless duty.  Join me next week as we further examine the rejection of the older son.  Which “son” or “daughter” are you?  God desires sons and daughters who follow Him because they love Him (instead of His wealth).  Keep looking up!