There once were two sons, who lived a life of abundance. Their father had considerable wealth. The younger son was ungrateful, rude, impatient, selfish, wasteful, and foolish, in his unknowing of who his father truly was. The other son who was older, was ungrateful, angry, prideful, selfish, and resentful, in his unknowing of who his father truly was.
The younger knows of his father’s kindness and demands what is not his (only the eldest son is heir to the father’s wealth in this culture). He foolishly wastes all he has improperly and rudely taken. He returns to his father, repentant but expecting only chastisement and indentured servanthood. He is unknowing of the extent of his father’s love, forgiveness and desire to give more than he could ask or imagine. The actions of his father are beyond his comprehension in the extent of mercy, redemption, grace and abundance.
The older son knows of his father’s wealth and lives his life, trying to be perfect in his role as the eldest son. He prides himself on his religious performance. He works even harder when his foolish brother departs in idiotic fashion. He does not consider that his good father would freely give him in abundance. When the foolish son returns and is restored to sonship, he explodes with rage instead of realizing the goodness of his father was always the greatest gift his father would grant to both sons. The older son, never really understands what matters in his life and all that he has in relationship to his father.
One son comes to the father, in repentance not expecting anything and is given everything. One son needs to repent because he doesn’t even realize what was available to him because he was lost in prideful thinking that his relationship with his father was built on performance and effort. The goodness of the good father is the only thing that matters in the end to the two sons.
Each of us can be like either of the sons in this story. Which one are you; foolish, demanding, and selfish or prideful, religious, and angry? Aren’t you glad you know “The Good Father” who gives more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)? Come, repentantly to your Father in heaven and be thankful for all He gives!
Connecting with Christ Bible Reading – Luke 15
Return of the Prodigal Son, Rembrandt Van Rign, 1636
