Written by Paul Lane
Or,
The Word
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[Some manuscripts add treat me as one of your hired servants] 22 But the father said to his servants,[Or bondservants] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:17-24 (ESV)
21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job 1:21 (ESV)
Reflection
Today’s passage is the middle, or the heart, of the Prodigal Son story. It is the hope of all prodigals. Not all make it back to their father. Though we know that this story ends well for this lost soul, it does not have to be this way. In fact, it often isn’t. Children who run away from home seldom survive long. Lord, I pray earnestly for such children, that they do indeed find their way back home.
To help take in this story, let us spend a moment thinking about the different characters.
Bond Servants – First consider the bond servants. In general, they were slaves, some willing indentures, while others were forced into servitude by bad choices or bad circumstances. Given that it is a story Jesus is telling, it is reasonable to interpret this in the Hebrew tradition. It speaks well of this owner that these servants chose to be with him. What must they have thought of these two boys that did not treasure their father? And what joy must they have had when the younger boy returned with a change of heart? One could say these servants possessed an owner within their hearts.
Older Brother – Now, on to the older brother. He is not part of today’s passage, but his moment is coming. At this part of the story, one could say that he possessed a missing brother, and friends. It is not clear that he considered his father a prized possession. Such love may be obscured by the question of his inheritance.
Younger Brother – Then there’s the younger brother, the main character in the story. It is the journey of this boy’s heart that carries the lesson being taught. Allow your heart to journey with his heart. Initially, he possessed his inheritance and considers the rest of the family to be worth nothing. Then he converts treasure into pleasure. Once he runs out of treasure and finds himself in want, he is driven to take possession of his mind. I believe this simple act is when his character changes. Yes, he makes a decision that will fill his belly, but it is a right and rational judgement. He has begun to see the true value of things.
Father – This is the love interest in the story. Yes, love interest is the right term. Not all love takes the form, guy meets girl. This is the love of a parent for a child, but it shines as an example of God’s unconditional love, full of grace – His unmerited favor. This is a successful man, but he is beautiful in his simplicity. He is a man who has two sons. It is this simple love that seals the salvation of the prodigal son when he returns. Take a moment to enjoy the loving gaze of a father who searches the horizon daily, in hopes of the return of his lost son. Note the father’s insistence that a ring be put on his finger, that clothes be put on him, and that shoes be put on his feet. This man wants to leave no question in anyone’s mine as to the ownership of this boy. This is true ownership of the heart.
Application
What are your most treasured possessions? Living in hurricane territory it is easy to envision a day in which all that we own gets washed away. The circumstances by which we own nothing are not far from our doorstep. If that day comes, what would you miss the most? Would it be your house, your car, your couch, or important papers? Yes, even your cell phone could be washed away.
Or what if the day came in which God allowed Satan to take away all your possessions, including your children. Would you have the grace to say, as Job did, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord”? While I hope that I would be faithful, I cannot say that I would be, and I pray that I will never find out.
These are heavy thoughts on a day in which the prodigal has returned. Let it be that we celebrate the return of the prodigal son this day and every day, and rely on God’s grace that we need not be tried in such an intense way. Let the love of God draw you into his ownership and you could truly say that you are truly owned and truly loved.
Prayer
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right[Or steadfast] spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Psalm 51:10 (ESV)
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