By Benjamin Stubblefield, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Celebrate?
Luke 15:20–32
We’ve all been there. We’ve all seen it. We’ve all experienced it. Somebody got something they didn’t deserve. Somebody got a raise, a blessing, a compliment. But you know you work harder, you do better, you put in the time. And still that person gets all the favor and none of the flak. Admit it. At some time, all of us have mumbled: “That’s not fair.”
Justice. That’s what we want. Well, at least that’s often what we want for others when it seems others are being treated better than us. But this passage reminds us that the gift of God’s mercy is so remarkable, so astonishing, so miraculous that its appearance in anyone, especially in the lives of those who are the most undeserving, is worth celebrating.
While it’s natural to think, “God should give more to the ones who do more for Him,” Jesus teaches us that we, all being equally undeserving, equally receive His inheritance according to the riches of His mercy.
Forgiveness Granted (20–24)
The father shocks us all. He knows it’s his son, even though he is “a long ways off,” perhaps recognizing his stride or silhouette. He initiates reconciliation with a warm embrace and fatherly affection, which breaks common social protocols of that time. He stops the son’s pre-planned speech (vv. 18–19) and insists on immediate celebration and reconciliation.
Jesus intends the whole scene to be jaw-dropping, and it is. And so is every moment a sinner repents because in Christ our heavenly Father will never, ever turn us away. “Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us” (1 John 3:1).
Resentment Expressed (25–30)
The elder brother, dutifully tending to the business of the farm, gets bent out of shape for defensible reasons. He says in effect, “The honorable son gets nothing; the dishonorable son gets celebrated.” And he’s right! This seems so unfair.
What he fails to see, however, is that he has fallen victim to the same besetting sin of his younger brother.
The prodigal cared only for himself, regardless of how his actions devastated his family. And now the elder brother, despite this miraculous “resurrection” of his kin, thinks only of himself. He may have stayed on the farm, but his heart is just as self-centered.
We’ve got to be careful to avoid the same selfishness because it’s so easy to fall into. Jealousy can rob us of the joy of seeing God’s grace in the lives of sinners.
Reality Defined (31–32)
The son’s complaint is well-taken, and the father has a ready reply. Softly and tenderly, the father reminds the oldest son that all that the father has is, and has always been, his. Not only can the oldest son have a young goat, but all these animals belong to him.
Moreover, the father insists that the son not refer to his brother simply as “this son of yours.” Notice, the father intentionally calls the prodigal “this brother of yours.” He will not allow the elder to escape the family bind to the younger, no matter how much the older brother resents the younger in the moment.
Finally, the father invites the son to take his eyes off how he’s treated and rejoice that one whom he loves “was lost and has been found.”
The Lord works in mysterious ways. And sometimes, to our eyes, in unfair ones too. But if we’d see with the Father’s perspective, we’d all be relieved and thrilled that He does. For there is not one worthy, “no, not one” (Rom. 3:10). Justice is what we all deserve, and what none of us want.
But God, because of His great love, brought us into His family. Though we are smelly, dead and broken, He comes to us and covers us with lovingkindness. He corrects us with loving patience though we are jealous, smug and self-righteous. To all kinds of sinners, He calls: “Come home.” And that’s a love worth celebrating.
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