Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. Luke 15:31
O Brother, Where Art Thou? – Parables Series 4 – Part 7
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6
(Go to Parable Series 1 or Parable Series 2 or Parable Series 3)
Luke 15:31-32 “Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
One resurrection took place in the family that day; the father hoped another would too. The older brother's complaint had little to do with money and inheritance… It was that the father showed affection to the prodigal that he had never shown to him. Then the father seeks to mend their rift, and he shares his heart with his oldest son. He always had loved him. Everything that he had, belonged to his eldest son, even if he didn’t see it. They both had a lot of work to do, but the father seemed to believe that their relationship could be resurrected too.
He then seeks to restore the brother's relationship. While the older son never refers to his sibling as ‘brother’ – perhaps because he had emotionally distanced himself from him – the father reminds him that they are indeed joined by blood, and that relationship exists between them. Were either brother missing, the family would not be whole. The father insists on celebrating, but the parable ends with the two of them still in the field…
What do we do with that ending? It’s kinda like the TV show ‘Lost’ that ended and still no one knew what was going on.
The first two parables ended with their protagonists celebrating. This one doesn’t. Jesus lets it sit here to give the parable room to move into our hearts and minds and ask us the hard questions.
What would we do if we were the older brother? And then there’s question of money and inheritance, because, at the end of the story, the older brother is the only one with money. Is he expected to put up his younger brother? Will the family reconcile? Will the younger son change his ways? Will the father bring the brothers together? Will the older brother be able to put aside his resentment and hurt to extend compassion and kindness?
Sounds like questions a lot of us ask about our own families.
Who do you identify with in the story?
The younger son had an entitlement complex and was rebellious by nature. He took his inheritance and went on a journey called ‘Who am I?” And I’m not sure he had it figured out by the end of the parable. Do you feel the world owes you? Are you going through so much money and experiences but still don’t feel whole? OR – How do you view rebellious people? It’s one thing to believe that God still loves them, but what about you? What if you’re that father or brother waiting for the son to come home?
The older son was dealing with deep hurt that had raged into resentment. He wasn't just annoying with his accusations; he was right! A lot of the time, we are the victim. We find ourselves hurt and bruised. We can even feel like we try so much and work so hard, and still nothing seems to go right! The challenge that the older brother presents us is to let it go. Don’t let anger and resentment spoil the potential for joy. You can stay angry, you can stay resentful. And you may be justified in doing so. But it will never lead to resurrection life that brings what was dead back to life… let it go.
The father. One of the most challenging things as a parent is to know when to chase your kids and make them do what you want, or when to let them go and find their own way. The father in this story was far from perfect. But he was a father who loved his sons and wanted to be close to them. And he wanted them to be close to each other. The challenge he presents is to be present in the moment. Don’t wait for an apology, don’t wait for you children to behave perfectly, don’t split hairs over details. The father started reconciliation not with the Spanish Inquisition, but with a meal. Fellowship.
There may be more wholeness and joy hidden in plain sight, than we can see… take a look.
Go to Part 8 – Family… As Dysfunctional As They Come »
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