‘Tell Me a Story,’ Part 3: Recognizing God’s presence and love
Of all the stories Jesus told, the one we’re reading today may be the most famous. Indeed, the Parable of the Prodigal Son is likely one of the best-known stories in the world. Surely it conveys more meaning in fewer words than much else we have read.
Anyone reading it afresh today could again consider each character and decide, “How am I like him?”
Have I displayed unreserved mercy?
Have I arrogantly rejected what’s holy and right and turned to pursue my own selfish whims?
Have I judged others who haven’t followed the rules as well as I think I have?
Perhaps we can see ourselves in each of these descriptions, which is one reason the story is such a masterpiece. Everyone can identify with every part of it.
But today, let’s focus on just one aspect of just one character. What might we conclude about the older brother’s consistent service, continued without fanfare and likely without much recognition, year after year after year? And how do we think he felt about it?
William Barclay labels it “grim duty,” a description that jumps out at anyone committed to and consumed by the daily burden of caregiving.
Few see everything that duty includes. Few appreciate the physical and emotional toll caregiving takes. How can we caregivers cope with the grind of our task without becoming obsessed with all we’re giving up?
And when we see God’s abundant blessing showered into the lives of others not carrying our load, how do we avoid the compulsion to shake our fist in God’s face and say with the older brother in this story, “Not fair!”?
Maybe we can find comfort in the response of this father to his self-righteous son: “You are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.”
Maybe we can ask God to help us realize his presence, . . .
. . . celebrate what he’s given that helps us cope, and
. . . avoid comparing his goodness in others’ lives with how we can see it in our own.
Yes, there’s much to be discovered in this story, and each detail suggests new lessons to ponder. For today, let’s focus on the mercy of the all-giving father and the resentment of the duty-driven son. For just a moment, let us ask ourselves how to celebrate all we’ve received instead of bemoaning what we must endure.
Read: Luke 15:11-32
Pray: We are so grateful, Father, that you are always with us, just as the father in this story was always there for his sons. All that is yours is ours! Thank you, Lord, thank you, for giving us what we need to live well for you one more week.
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