I’ve always loved the story of the prodigal son. Do you? Are you like the father or the older brother? The father allowed his son to have his inheritance. If only we could listen in on the conversation the two must have had before his son left to make decisions on his own and to spend his inheritance with wild abandon. I’m quite sure the father tried his best to talk his younger son out of such a foolish decision. The younger boy focused only on himself and the good times he would have with his so-called friends, forgetting his father would be brokenhearted at his leaving. Eventually he realized the friends he thought he had were false friends. Once his inheritance was spent, the world became cold and uncaring.
“And He said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.” Luke 15:11-15
This is what happens if we depart from the Father and make friends with the world. The world is not any better than the people who spent time with the younger son. The world is, in a sense, a wilderness. Many a sin can ensnare us posing as a good time, but as the younger son, we too, soon find out, when we have no place else to turn, that we come to ourselves and want to return to the place where those who truly loved us are waiting and longing for our return.
“And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my fathers have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” Luke 15:16-19
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
In the following verses, we see the younger son returning to his father. He knew he sinned before heaven and his father. His heart was broken. He humbled himself, asked forgiveness, and was content to be a hired servant. This story is one of the most compassionate, loving examples of our Father’s care for His own. He loves us and desires for us to stay close to Him. If we choose to leave, the decision is entirely up to us. If and when we come to ourselves, He rushes to meet us and is filled with compassion and forgiveness. He is exceedingly joyful at our return to the fold.
“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in Thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him: and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, 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. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:20-24
If we are not like the father, are we like the elder son? Are we resentful, envious, proud, angry and jealous when a brother or sister returns from the wilderness of sin? Do we rush to hug them and welcome them back as the father in Lk. 15? The elder son was so angry he refused to join the celebration of his brother’s return to the fold. May we never be as the elder son, for he allowed Satan to enter his heart and fill him with many sins. The devil looks for every opportunity to ensnare a soul. The elder son was no different. If the devil couldn’t get one, the younger, he went for the elder.
The father told the elder son:
“And he said unto him Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this by brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:31-32
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7
“There is a choice that you have to make in everything you do. So keep in the mind that in the end, the choice you make, makes you.” ~ Wooden
Eileen Light