Which One Are You?

Luke 15:11-32

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.  The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.  After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.  So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.  He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

  “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’  So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.  ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

“ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
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I normally don’t post such long passages of Scripture, but there are so many important parts of this story, I didn’t want to leave anything out.

At different points in our lives…even within one day…we can see ourselves playing each of the roles in this parable told by Jesus; we can be the father, the “good” son or the prodigal son.

When we go off on our own to do our own things, not following God’s will for us, we are the prodigal son.  We waste time, talent or treasure pursuing the things we think will make us whole.

As the “good” son, We can be jealous of others.  We think we deserve something different or better than what was promised to us, just because we have been “good”.  We are trying to earn something that cannot be earned.

At times, when we are able to love openly, forgive graciously and rejoice in the renewal or reconciliation of relationship, we are the father.

Who are you today?  Who do you need to be?

Heavenly Father, 

We know that we stray from You.  But when we return, You welcome us back with open and loving arms.  

When we feel like we are walking in Your will for us, help us to remember that Your grace and love is a gift we cannot earn.  All that You have placed in creation is ours to enjoy as a part of Your infinite grace.   

There are those who have strayed from us, hurt us, taken from us.  You have told us to forgive and have shown us the example of ultimate forgiveness.  Keep this on our hearts when we think of these times. 

All of these things we ask and offer in the name of Jesus Christ, 

Amen.