Radical Stories in Luke

Appreciate the Father’s Compassion

The Parable of the Lost Son – Luke 15:11-32

When he (the younger son) came to his senses, he said,

 “How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am

 starving to death!  I will set out and go back to my father…”

His father saw him and was filled with compassion for him.

Luke 15:17, 18, 20

Family relationships can be highly emotional and overreactions, unfortunately, are often common behavior.  At the heart of most conflict is a self-centered attitude.  Pride influences selective memory.  short-sighted greed undermines long-term plans.  Jealousy causes us to place conditions on love.  Daily expectations can become so commonplace that we no longer know the meaning of gratitude.  We must ask ourselves, “Do I have an attitude of entitlement or appreciation?”

In the parable, Jesus tells us about two sons.  The younger son claimed his share of the estate and decided to live it up.  Jesus doesn’t provide a detailed account of how the money was spent, but we can assume “wild living” in Jesus’ day is similar to “wild living” in 2011.  The older brother went so far as to conclude that the money was squandered with prostitutes (v.30).  The older sibling is angry and frustrated, refusing to participate in the festivities.  The younger brother felt entitled to claim his inheritance early, spending it unwisely.  The older brother felt entitled to be paid his share of the estate, implying mistreatment (v.29, “All these years I’ve been slaving for you”).  Both brothers felt deserving of the gifts their father promised.  What happened to their humility?  Why had they developed a “me first” attitude?

The younger son didn’t realize the Father’s love was unconditional.  The son, once he had come to his senses, devised a plan to rejoin the household at a “demoted” position (v.19, “Make me like one of your hired men”).  However, the Father demonstrated mercy instead of justice.  Maybe it wasn’t until after the music and dancing had begun that the younger son fully appreciated the Father’s compassion.

The older son didn’t realize the Father’s love was unconditional.  The son, upon the return of his younger brother, decided to express his worthiness by reviewing his years of service.  In spite of his son’s self righteous attitude, the Father responded with mercy and generosity (v.31, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours”).  I would hope the older son would eventually appreciate the return of his lost brother and the welcoming embrace of a compassionate Father.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we regret that we sometimes take for granted your generous blessings and merciful love.  Your gifts are generous.  We should be grateful.  If we have chosen “wild living” away from your presence, please help us know without doubt that You want us to repent and return home.  Please help us share your joy and celebration when a sinner turns to your loving embrace.  We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas