Many sermons have been given about Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son in Luke chapter 15. Henri Nouwen’s classic, “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” challenges readers to learn from the prodigal and from the hardworking but resentful older brother, but to strive to be like the gracious, welcoming Father. Other teaching compares the older brother to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and the younger one to people whose background includes lots of messiness.
While studying the topic of Christian community, I’ve added some thoughts of my own as I realize both the younger and older sons in the parable were missing out on some key aspects of community. Am I missing them as well?
Some biblical scholars have pointed out that the younger son’s request that his father “give me my share of the estate,” showed extreme disrespect; it was as if he wished his father dead, since division of the estate usually occurred at that time. It was also an unwise request in a practical sense, though—whatever the estate’s value at that time, it likely continued to grow after the son’s departure, under the father’s wise management. A little patience might well have increased the amount the son ended up with, but he clearly wanted to do things his own way, right then, rather than wait for the right timing while continuing to learn from his father.
The older brother, on the other hand, appears to have been doing the right things—working hard, obeying the rules until his time came to manage the estate. But his anger at the joyous welcome home given his brother indicates he wasn’t truly invested in relationships. Regarding the feast, he angrily tells his father, “Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends” (v.29).
The father’s response, “You know all that is mine is yours,” makes me wonder if the older son was so busy obeying rules that he didn’t truly understand the father’s heart. Why did he not know he was welcome to throw an occasional party? Had he never asked permission to invite friends over for dinner?
The comparisons to Christian community I hadn’t noticed before now seem obvious. The younger son could be compared to a new believer who wants to teach, preach, or write a book before growing in the faith; or perhaps the one who feels constrained by church leadership and structure and just wants to strike out on his own. I’ve known more than a few who want to “do ministry” but resent being asked to show credentials or to build experience through more mundane assignments.
I’ve also known a few characters like the older brother, though—they never miss a service, but react with disapproval when the guy with all the physical evidence of a rough life shows up at church without cleaning himself up a little. Or perhaps they have cultivated so few true relationships at church that they aren’t comfortable calling anyone when they experience a medical crisis or other emergency.
Jesus’ parable makes it clear neither son’s situation reflects the heart of God for community. I’m praying God opens my eyes when I need to improve in those areas, and that He leads me to experience more of what the Father wants for His children.
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