Thoughts for the Day

* The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he told them this parable:

‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Luke's wonderful Chapter 15 has the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the 'lost' boy - the last two of which only appear in his Gospel. But notice the two lines before the parable of the Prodigal Son - Jesus is socialising with sinners, and the Pharisees and scribes are appalled.

Not all parables fit every part of a situation, but here we can see that the younger brother represents the sinners who are flocking to hear Jesus. He has left his father (who symbolises God the Father) and gone off to squander his money until he is destitute. Now he is no better than the pigs he feeds and is at rock-bottom, for pigs are ritually 'unclean' (Leviticus 11.7). Finally he is forced to return to his father for help. In a similar way the tax-collectors and sinners having ignored God's laws are drawn to return to Him. Those who admit their fault and seek to change will be welcomed with open arms, says Jesus.

The unpalatable part of the story is the final section of the parable. The elder brother represents the Pharisees and the scribes, who think they are morally and ritually pretty perfect. But we can see that they lack charity, humility, and generosity at the least, in failing to see that those who are lost have been found. Their example can also apply to us when we assume a "holier-than-thou" attitude as Christians. But the ultimate message is that God, our heavenly Father, welcomes all who truly repent!

Heavenly Father,
when we turn to You in true repentance
we know we are assured of Your mercy.
May we always rejoice when others embrace You,
withholding any judgement,
and welcoming them into the fold.
Whether young or old,
may we enjoy the new experiences they offer,
and continue growing together in grace.
Amen.