Parable of the Father’s Love

Reverend Philip Stringer

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

LET US PRAY: Bless us, O God -- you who have given us every good thing -- bless us with ears that hear you speaking to us, and eyes that see you revealed, and hearts that are dedicated to your will for the sake of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the coming of his kingdom. AMEN

When I was young there was a game we enjoyed playing in our neighborhood called, “ghosts in the graveyard.” I’m not exactly sure why it was named that, except that we played it near or after dark — but it was a pretty simple game of “hide and seek.”

The person who was “it” would count while everyone else hid. Then they would go out to find the others. When they found someone, the two of them would look together until they found a third, and then the three of them would look, etc., until only one person was left. That person was the “winner,” and it would be their privilege to be “it,” for the next round.

It was supposed to be fun for everyone. But I remember once that we all conspired to play a joke on one kid. When the person who was “it” started to count, we all ran to hide . . . but then we all came back to “base” without telling our victim. We sat around laughing and playing, waiting to see how long that person would sit alone in the dark, waiting to be found.

It was a clearly foolish and childish thing to do, and it didn’t end well. Playing the game was never quite the same after that.

Jesus was surrounded by people -- and all of them were playing a religious game of sorts. You may know this game, too. It’s called, “What is the meaning of my life.”

Just like in any game, there were rules, and everybody playing seemed to have their own set of rules. Jesus’ message to them is that this game of living is supposed to be fun — a celebration.

Luke begins this account by telling us that, “Tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.” Not FORMER tax collectors and FORMER sinners -- but the real thing. CURRENTLY EMPLOYED tax collectors and ACTIVELY PRACTICING sinners. They may have come for a variety of reasons that weren’t immediately obvious to anyone who saw them there -- but some of them at least were probably there only to get the freebies -- they were just there for the free food -- Hey, if Jesus is foolish enough to offer a free meal, they certainly aren’t going to miss it.

Pastors and others know these people well -- they work the system for handouts, going from one church to the next -- or putting on old clothes and polishing their story to get handouts of money. I heard some people say that a good beggar can make $70,000/year -- tax free! All from mooching.

These people can be hard to spot -- especially when they see they’ve got a good thing going and decide to settle in. They’re the classic “fair weather friend.” In churches, they’re the people who attend when it’s comfortable, but not when it’s challenging. As soon as there’s a need for sacrifice, or commitment, they’ll hop to another church that makes them feel good but won’t ask anything of them.

In the game of playing by your wits and grasping opportunity, Moochers are the experts! -- and no doubt, some of those who came to listen to Jesus were like this.

And Luke tells us that he was also surrounded by snobs -- “And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

These guys couldn’t stand moochers and sinners. And they disapproved of anyone who could stand them. The Scribes and Pharisees are like the one person in our neighborhood who was playing by the rules — and they grumbled about all those present who hadn’t done so.

Jesus was surrounded by two groups of people who were like oil and water -- Moochers and Snobs, and Jesus in the middle of them.

That's how our gospel lesson begins -- People playing the game of life by different rules, and suddenly they’re all in the same spot.

Luke tells us in a manner of speaking, that it’s “game night”, and everyone who comes thinks that they know how to play. But Jesus is full of surprises.

And so, Jesus tells this parable which we call the “Prodigal Son.” That really isn’t a good name for the parable because the main character isn’t the son, really -- the main character is the Father -- but we learn about him through the sons -- and perhaps we can learn something about ourselves through them, too.

We are all in this game called “What is the meaning of my life.” And what Jesus tells us is that being a Christian in this game is SUPPOSED to be a celebration. Of course, everyone knows that a party is a celebration — but it seems to me that the problem is that we aren’t clear what we are supposed to be celebrating.

What Jesus reminds us of today is that we were dead, and now we are alive. We were divided against each other by sin, and now we are brothers and sisters. That is, most certainly, something to be celebrated!

Jesus told this parable NOT AGAINST the people around him, but to invite both groups to celebrate God’s love, and what that means for them and all people.

This parable isn’t about repentance.

This parable isn’t about jealousy and intolerance.

It’s about a Father who loves and gives out of that love, and who wants his sons to get caught up in this love with him.

The first Son in this parable is like the moochers -- prodigal means recklessly extravagant.

Insult one: Let’s pretend you’re dead.

Surprise one: Father gives, reduces himself to most despicable level, then has an idea -- he’ll use his

father again.

Insult two: “Let’s pretend I’m only your slave.”

Surprise two: The father comes running out to meet him where he is and says, “I’m not interested in pretending” Let’s stick with the facts.

Fact -- You’re my son.

Fact -- I love you.

Let’s act on the fact and have a party.

You and I can be like the first son.

We begin our worship with confession -- and we come to this table on our knees -- but if we think that the greatness of what happens here is that we are sorry -- that we are vindicated by our act of submission -- then we are just pretending. Nothing real happens here.

The party isn’t to celebrate the deeds of the son. The party is an expression of a father who loves him.

And that’s what happens here, too. This table is set, this bread is broken, and this wine is poured out as an expression of God’s love for you. THAT’S what’s amazing about this meal. THAT’S what is great. God loves you and so God acts.

The second Son in this parable is like the snobs in fields.

insult one: He will not enter into his Father’s joy. He disapproves, which is to say that he rejects the character of his father.

Surprise one: The father comes out to meet him where he is (just like first son). And the father BEGS him. My joy is not complete unless you are with me.

insult two: I’ve worked like a slave and haven’t gotten anything out of you -- i.e., everything he’s done is with the aim of taking away.

Surprise two: You don’t have to take -- don’t you see that everything I have is already yours? (just like the first son) I give my whole self to you! And even this party is for you -- I AM HAPPY BECAUSE YOU HAVE YOUR BROTHER BACK. I am celebrating because your brother’s return is good news for you!

You and I can be like the second son. We rob ourselves of the wealth of heaven when we draw lines between ourselves and others -- no matter who they may be.

Racial division religion politics

wealth

skill

ability personality

We rob ourselves by drawing lines because what ultimately defines us -- what our attention should be focused on -- is that God loves us all.

You see, making lines of division is foolish, because we’re really drawing lines against ourselves.

Although the two sons look so different, they’re really the same.

On the outside, we may be identifying differences -- moochers or snobs. But when all is said and done -- we’re missing the point of the game. We should be happy to be gathered around the table.

What Jesus tells his listeners: Your Father is celebrating his love for you. Your God is celebrating your reconciliation to each other.

Jesus leaves us in suspense at the end -- because there is no end.

The “game of meaning” real life, and it never ends.

We don’t know what the younger son does.

We don’t know what the older son does.

But we do know what the Father does -- and with that information, Jesus lets us write our own ending.

Joy and celebration should be at the heart the substance of your life. And if we are careful to watch for it — we will find that — whatever the situation — the Father always shows up with a surprise and a party.

AMEN