Calling ALL Prodigals

Starting this week, we are beginning a thought-provoking teaching series on the prodigal son, based on the book “The Prodigal God” by Dr. Timothy Keller.

Keller’s book presents an interesting slant to this well-known parable. He suggests that both the younger brother and the elder brother are both lost and alienated from the father. One tries to get the father’s things by being super-bad and taking his father’s money so he can seek his own path in the world; while the other tries to get the father’s things by being super- good and relentlessly obedient all in hopes of inheriting the remaining two-thirds of his father’s estate. Both want the father’s things, but not the father.

“Within the story, Jesus teaches that the two most common ways to live are both spiritual dead ends. He shows how the plotlines of our lives can only find a resolution, a happy ending in Him, in His person, and work.” (p. 128 – Keller)

Jesus’ goal in this parable is not only for us to see the difference between the two brothers and the two groups of on-lookers, but to also insert ourselves into this parable. We are asked to move from being a spectator to being a participant.

Could it be that this parable not only “rocked” the Pharisees world in a huge way when Jesus told it, but that it “rocks” our world today as well? After all, this radical teaching of Jesus basically was a complete reversal of what the Pharisees had been taught.

So, as we insert ourselves into this story, we might find ourselves in the same shocked state that the Pharisees found themselves in! It’s hard when we start to insert ourselves into this parable, isn’t it? It may be even a bit painful.

Could it be that you and I are guilty of the same judgmental views that the Pharisees were guilty of? Could it be that we are ALL in need of a deeper understanding of God’s grace and forgiveness? Could it be that we are ALL sinners saved by grace? I think if we were really honest we would say “yes,”

When we look at the parable of the lost son in Luke 15, Jesus turns the tables on the faith of the “establishment” and basically tells the Pharisees that all that they believed, all that they’ve been taught, is actually the opposite.

Here Jesus wants to be in “community” with sinners. That was just not done! Religious leaders of Jesus’ day did not eat or converse with “sinners!” I’m sure the Pharisees were thinking to themselves – “this isn’t how we do things!” We can only imagine how shocked they must have been by Jesus’ words, actions and its implications. This was a game changer!

Perhaps you are also shocked by the words of Jesus in this parable. Maybe today is the day for all of us to not only re-examine our faith, our relationships and our attitudes about others, but to also turn our hearts over to Jesus, and invite Him to “heal” our hearts. After all, Jesus is the only one who can bring us “home” and His invitation is the same yesterday, today and forever. ALL of us are sinners, but ALL of us are invited to the “feast” – younger brothers and elder bothers. The question is -- will you come?

I hope you will come on this seven week journey as we look at some of the interesting and tough questions and issues that this sermon series is sure to illicit. Share your thoughts and insights with me and your fellow blog followers (click on "Comments" below). It is certain to be an interesting journey for us all!

Pax,

Pastor Carol