Comments on: Luke 15 and the Prodigal Son http://brownbible.com/rev-ken-brown-articles/biblical-considerations/what-is-the-point-of-parable-in-the-gospels/ Researching the Word of God for the Will of God Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:31:29 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Terry Ciesielski http://brownbible.com/rev-ken-brown-articles/biblical-considerations/what-is-the-point-of-parable-in-the-gospels/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Terry Ciesielski Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:36:58 +0000 http://brownbible.com/?p=1067#comment-105 I wonder how many other people have considered the "other" son as a major player in this parable. He felt he had a right to be angry and jealous of his brother, that good-for-nothing who had hurt his father, squandered his money and his very life, and now was being treated like royalty simply for coming home. He, meanwhile, had been doing his diligent best to work hard and fulfill what was required of him. These two same "types" can be found in the church (by church I mean the body of Christ, those called out by him) today: those who feel secure in their own ability to stay in God's good graces by working hard, being good, and following the rules; and those who have experienced the real grace and forgiveness of God through his Son, because they have humbled themselves and repented, coming to him with nothing but their own contrition. The follow-the-rules folks also have access to God's grace if they, too, humble themselves in his sight and see their own righteousness as filthy rags, but I think this is hard for people who are sure they've got it right on their own. However, when one has experienced the ravages of the world first-hand, when one comes to his senses he goes running to the Father, knowing that he has nothing to offer but believing that Love will accept him. There is a third player in this parable with whom many parents of wayward children can identify -- the father. I can imagine him getting up every morning, praying for that son, looking down the road, hoping that perhaps THIS day will be the day he returns; at the end of the day, disappointed but not giving up hope, turning on the porch light and going to bed, leaving the matter once again in the hands of the One who loves his son even more than he does. My friends, if you are one of those parents, waiting for that child to come to his senses, keep your eyes on the Lord. See the compassion, patience, and grace that reside there, and trust HIM, trust His love (Psalm 147.11). Don't look at your child, for you may not see hope there, but keep your gaze fixed on the Lord, whose promises never fail and whose power is beyond human comprehension. And the Lord will work out His plans for all of us -- the well-behaved, the anxious parents, and the children who learn things the hard way. Everything serves God's plans. (Psalm 119.91) I wonder how many other people have considered the “other” son as a major player in this parable. He felt he had a right to be angry and jealous of his brother, that good-for-nothing who had hurt his father, squandered his money and his very life, and now was being treated like royalty simply for coming home. He, meanwhile, had been doing his diligent best to work hard and fulfill what was required of him. These two same “types” can be found in the church (by church I mean the body of Christ, those called out by him) today: those who feel secure in their own ability to stay in God’s good graces by working hard, being good, and following the rules; and those who have experienced the real grace and forgiveness of God through his Son, because they have humbled themselves and repented, coming to him with nothing but their own contrition. The follow-the-rules folks also have access to God’s grace if they, too, humble themselves in his sight and see their own righteousness as filthy rags, but I think this is hard for people who are sure they’ve got it right on their own. However, when one has experienced the ravages of the world first-hand, when one comes to his senses he goes running to the Father, knowing that he has nothing to offer but believing that Love will accept him.

There is a third player in this parable with whom many parents of wayward children can identify — the father. I can imagine him getting up every morning, praying for that son, looking down the road, hoping that perhaps THIS day will be the day he returns; at the end of the day, disappointed but not giving up hope, turning on the porch light and going to bed, leaving the matter once again in the hands of the One who loves his son even more than he does. My friends, if you are one of those parents, waiting for that child to come to his senses, keep your eyes on the Lord. See the compassion, patience, and grace that reside there, and trust HIM, trust His love (Psalm 147.11). Don’t look at your child, for you may not see hope there, but keep your gaze fixed on the Lord, whose promises never fail and whose power is beyond human comprehension. And the Lord will work out His plans for all of us — the well-behaved, the anxious parents, and the children who learn things the hard way. Everything serves God’s plans. (Psalm 119.91)

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