SOMETHING TO SHARE...


Friday, January 21, 2011

"A Man Had Two Sons."

We refer to the story that Jesus told in Luke 15 as the parable of the prodigal son yet the Master Teacher, Himself, begins with "A man had two sons." While recently studying the first two beatitudes in Matt. 5, this portion of Scripture came to mind because I see the younger son returning "poor in spirit" and comforted because he mourned over his sin. John MacArthur entitles these first two beatitudes "Happy are the Nobodies" and "Happy are the Sad."  I think the young prodigal realized both of these facts about himself while he was on his journey.


We are all familiar with the younger son coming to the father and asking for his part of the inheritance, seemingly dissatisfied at home with a loving father. It must have broken his heart as he saw his boy walk away. It didn't take very long though until he had squandered all he had and was left with no money, no friends, and no more thrill. The eat, drink, and be merry philosophy had failed him as it always does sooner or later.  As he fed the pigs, the most detestable thing that a Jew could be doing, I love the words when the story begins to turn around- "He came to himself." He remembers his father's love and no doubt, he mourns over his sin as it is evident when he returns home. He realizes his sin and plans to return home to be a servant, not to enjoy the privileges of a son any longer. After all, he has lost all that is rightfully his in the far country as he has lived it up. No doubt, his true repentance is seen as when his daddy runs to meet him and embraces him but he doesn't change his rehearsed words of " Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants." He is broken in spirit and has mourned over the fact of hurting his daddy.  Oh, the celebration begins as the two are reunited- he left proud and frivolous and has returned broken and serious. He quickly learned that the world isn't what it is portrayed to be. Their advertisements, young people, lie. Their shouts to you of allurement will leave you disillusioned and desperate.  The father's house is safe and secure and satisfying!  Amen and amen!!

Now, let's look at the latter part of the story that most of the time is not emphasized. Remember that Jesus said there were two sons. The older may have stayed at home and done his chores but his heart was just as rebellious. Observe his attitude when learning that his little brother has returned home and his father is rejoicing.  (Maybe this pious, sanctimonious attitude was one reason the younger left. I don't know but it's food for thought, isn't it?)   The elder was angry and refused to go in because there is a celebratory event inside the house because the daddy is thrilled that his son who was dead is alive, that his boy who was lost is now found.  Note the brother's pride as he begins on a discourse filled with "I's" and "me's".  "I never transgressed your commandments." "You never gave me a party." Well, he is breaking his father's heart over his refusal to love and rejoice with him over good news. He cannot even bring himself to call him his brother but rather "your son."  Of course, he has to remind him what he has been doing while he was out there. Pharisees are good at bringing up the past of others but not so good at looking in their own hearts. 
    
It is quite sad that there was a party going on at the father's house and the older brother was entreated by that same loving dad to come in but his pride wouldn't allow him to forgive. The younger son returned broken and mournful over his sin. Jesus leaves the narrative never telling us if the older came around. In Matt. 21:31, Jesus makes an interesting statement to the self-righteous crowd - "The tax collectors and prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you."  This younger brother who had experienced the disappointment of the mud holes was rejoicing at the celebration of grace. We, church members, need to check our hearts and see if we are prone to stay outside and criticize and compare ourselves with others. Do we think that somehow we earned something because we stayed at home and begrudgingly did the chores?   It's grace in every case, dear one, whether we left and wallowed in the filth or stayed home and judged others around us. Both of these boys should have delighted at simply being in the presence of their loving daddy.

I hope we mourn over this today if it applies because "blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." I suppose the younger brother lay down his head that night on a pillow of grace and slept well for the first time in a long time.  Ken Gire writes: "For the son's lost dignity, the father bestows on him a robe of honor. For his bare servant's feet, he puts on them the sandals of a son. For the hand that squandered an entire inheritance, he gives a signet ring that reinstates the son's position of authority in the family business. For his empty stomach, he hosts a feast fit for a king. A robe, a pair of sandals, a ring, a feast. Symbols not only of forgiveness but of restoration. Gifts of grace, lavished on the one who deserved them least."

Grateful for the Father's great love, merciful forgiveness, and abundant grace in my life!  
- Deborah

1 comment:

  1. You knocked it out of the park on this one MaMa. i plan to plagiarize you when I preach this text at Meadow in a few weeks. I love you.

    ReplyDelete