Parable of the Lost Son

Luke 15 1-3, 11b-32                                        

                 This story is one of the most familiar stories in the New Testament- many of you could probably tell it from memory.   We love this story because at different times in our lives; we have been each of these characters. 

We have been the elder son, jealous of the help and attention others are getting when we feel like our good behaviors are going unnoticed and unrewarded.

We have been the slaves- watching from a distance as a friend’s family is going through a similar situation- missing our own families.

Sometimes maybe we’ve even felt like the father.  Joyous when a long lost friend has suddenly come back into your life and a relationship is mended. 

Many of us have also been the youngest son. Leaving the church to explore the world and our own freedom- only to realize as an adult how much we truly needed God and the church.

That is one of the reasons this story is so powerful.  It’s not about someone else, it is about us!

On some level we can all identify with this story.  When I read this scripture for today I realized that we often forget about the characters that prompted Jesus to tell this parable- the Pharisees.

Maybe we’ve been them too- looking at a newcomer to a class or group hesitant about welcoming them in, thinking oh- they wouldn’t fit in with us- they aren’t like us!  We don’t want to put in the effort to get to know the real person- so we don’t.

It is hard sometimes for us to realize in the moment who we are- we tend to put values on people’s roles in society, wealth, looks, and position that we often get lost ourselves.  We read this story and we forget that all the characters are lost- not just the youngest son.  Yes, he is the obvious one but not the only one. 

The Pharisees are lost- they have gotten so caught up in living a self-righteous life focused on order, power and determining who is worthy of God and who is not;  that they have lost touch with who and why they worship.  All they can see is how they have been made worthy and others are not.

The eldest son is lost- not physically but for whatever reason, he feels neglected, unappreciated, and undervalued.  He’s lost in self-pity and doubt which causes distance and hard feelings towards his father and brother.

The father is lost too- Lost in worry about his children.  He loves them each so much.  He has lost both of them to the temptation of freedom and sense of entitlement.  He’s torn between wanting to connect with them both and loving each without receiving that love in return.

The point is we are all lost.  We all need the unconditional love and open embrace of Jesus Christ in our lives.  At least the younger son knows it.  He may have had to learn it the hard way and it may have been a painful process but he fully realizes he has hit rock bottom.  He is desperate for the only relationship that can save him. 

Life, culture and personal bias prevent us from seeing the truth in others and ourselves.  Seeing not the reflection in the mirror but what God sees- our hearts. 

Sometimes we project an image of power, self-control and togetherness- We see a successful business man in a tailored suit with a wife and family, nice house and car- we see someone who seems to have it all together when God sees a broken hurt and angry child just playing dress-up.

Sometimes when we look at others we see the outward person- the drug addict, person with mental illness, homeless and emaciated from hunger maybe we see the image of the prodigal son-  He’s dirty and smelly.  He probably hasn’t had a bath in a while; his clothes are torn and need to be washed.  His breath may reek of alcohol- he’s too skinny and needs a haircut.  He’s got pig slop on his shoes. 

Maybe we think he’s gotten what he deserves- if he had just listened to his parents and stayed home.  Maybe we look at that person at the soup kitchen and grumble under our breath- why don’t they just get a job?  While God sees a solider home from war- with all the scars on the inside crying out for help that isn’t there.   Would we be willing to welcome him with the open arms of Christ?

 What does God see in you?  Are you being true to whom God wants you to be? Are you aware of just how much you need Christ?  Are you taking the time to be in prayer and reflection to deepen your relationship with Christ?  Can you admit that you are lost and in need of saving?

Are you willing to welcome people into your life who God sees as worthy- even when they don’t fit our ideal exterior expectations?

What about this Church?  Whether it is showing the open arms of Christ by the opening the doors of this church to children taking music lessons, giving AA a place to meet in order to support their recovery or sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt at the neighborhood child care center.

 These are living examples of how we share the love of Christ to our community- some of these people; children and adults may eventually join us for worship and I know that you will be able to extend that welcome to them with the open arms of Christ. 

The love, forgiveness and salvation of Christ is for all who seek to be in a relationship with him.  Yes, he came to save the imperfect but righteous- the disciples, those who have dedicated their lives to God but Christ also came to save the lost- those who have never heard of his love, those who society tells them they don’t deserve God’s love- it is especially for them.

 This story of the prodigal son is an illustration of that love.  No matter how far we’ve traveled, no matter the decisions we made right or wrong, no matter how long we have been separated – God is running to us with open arms- pleading with us to come back and be in a full relationship with Christ. 

In a few weeks we will see a similar story arise with the thief on the cross- It’s never too late to come to Christ! You can go home again.  Let us be the arms of Christ in this church, in this community and in this world.  Let God use us and our love for the lost to lead them back home into the embrace of a God who loves them.

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