And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20
The Father Had Two Sons – Parables Series 4 – Part 5
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4
(Go to Parable Series 1 or Parable Series 2 or Parable Series 3)
It was not a surprise to Jesus audience that the Father would behave in such a manner toward his son. The word compassion used here is the same word used in the Parable of the Good Samaritan when he saw the beaten man on the side of the road: he had compassion for him and helped him as much as he could. The term indicates the understanding and possibility that one who was previously considered dead could come alive again. There're many people who say that the father's behaviour was uncharacteristic for a Jewish father, that it was different to what could have been expected. But we have no reason to believe that that. There are many biblical accounts of parents doing all they can to help their children, and rejoicing over them. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus asks his audience, “Is there anyone among you, if his child asks for bread, will give him a stone?” It was not new news to Jewish audience that God loved his followers like a father loves a child – that they were his beloved children. God has always loved them, even the wayward; from David to Ephraim to Israel. Their history is soaked with this truth.
For Jesus listeners, the challenge here is not see that God loves us like a child. Rather the challenge lies in getting the wayward to return. As it was with the shepherd who lost his sheep and the woman who lost her coin, the challenge is in the finding.
Luke 15:21-24, “And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
The younger son probably practised his speech the whole way home. To make sure he got it right? To make sure he sounded convincing? Who knows. The father was so overcome with joy that he cuts the son off mid-sentence and orders his servants to prepare a great feast and celebration.
Hang on a second. This is a parable about repentance and forgiveness, right?
Notice there is no exchange of repentance. There is no talk of forgiveness. The son doesn’t say “sorry.” It’s clear that he feels ashamed, but he offers no cry of repentance.
But for circumstances so complicated and deep in the context of family, reconciliation takes more than a few words exchanged at the homestead gate. There were many things to discuss and talk through. The son had wasted his inheritance on prostitutes, drugs, alcohol… behaviour that would have brought shame to his father's house. Maybe the father had clued on to his son's ways, and instead of listening to his plea for provision, he threw a feast to show the younger son that his manipulative ways didn't change his heart towards him. He didn't wait for an apology. He didn't wait for promises of payback… he knew he may not have got them. Instead, he used the language of resurrection; “My son was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found.” He celebrated what he had right in front of him.
Despite the complex situation, and the details that needed figuring out, it was a happy reunion. The son returned home, and the father invites all to celebrate. But have you noticed anyone missing from the story?
A father had two sons. And it would seem one is still lost.
Go to Part 6 – A Story of the Oldest Son in a Parable about the Prodigal »
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