These words introduce us to what is commonly referred to as "The Parable of the Prodigal Son." Growing up in the Bible Belt, I heard these words quite often. Unfortunately, what followed oftentimes was a sermon that completely ignored Jesus' words altogether.
You see, according to Jesus, there were two sons. Upon obtaining his share of his father's inheritance, the younger of the two left home and squandered all that his father had given him in reckless living. He became so impoverished that he not only took a job feeding pigs in a field, but also found himself longing to eat that which he was putting before the pigs. Needless to say, life wasn't quite going according to plan.
One day, while out in the field, he had an epiphany. Knowing that his father was abundantly wealthy, he thought to himself, "Here I am starving. Meanwhile, my father's servants have more than enough to eat! I've disgraced my father and am no longer worthy to be called his son. But, as one of his servants, I won't go hungry." So, he headed home, filled with shame. Upon his return, his father did the unthinkable. While the younger brother was off in the distance, the father, filled with compassion, ran to him and embraced him. The younger brother confessed his sin to his father, acknowledging his unworthiness to be called a son. Yet, the father responded graciously, clothing his son in the best robe and throwing a feast in celebration of his return.
Now, the story of the younger brother is very important. It's the story that I heard preached on more than one occasion growing up. The idea was this: For those who are caught up in reckless living, you have a heavenly Father who feels compassion for you and is chasing after you. Confess your sin, repent, and turn to him. And, he will robe you in his righteousness and welcome you into a celebration that will never end, an eternal feast. All of this is true and is not to be discredited. However, the younger brother is not the primary focal point of the story. Remember, Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons." Perhaps, the story should be entitled "The Parable of the Two Lost Sons".
"You can rebel against God and be alienated from him either by breaking his rules or by keeping all of them diligently." (Tim Keller)
A feast was being thrown for the younger brother in celebration of his return. Meanwhile, his elder brother, who was out working in the field, heard music and dancing. In response, he asked what was going on. The servants informed him of his younger brother's return and of the ensuing celebration. In anger, the elder brother refused to join the celebration. In the same way that he had pursued his youngest son, the father proceeded to go outside and entreat his eldest son to join the celebration. Here we get a glimpse into the heart of the elder brother. He responded to his father, stating that he had obeyed all of his father's rules, serving him diligently. Yet, no feast was thrown for him. Meanwhile, his younger brother, who squandered everything he possessed in reckless living, was being thrown a great feast! How could this be?
The story ends with no answer as to whether the elder brother joined the celebration with his father and younger brother. The reason for such an inconclusive ending is this: the parable was intended primarily for the elder brothers in the crowd that day, namely the Pharisees and scribes. Remember, they were standing on the outside looking in, grumbling at the fact that Jesus would welcome sinners and tax collectors (younger brothers) into his inner circle. Jesus was inviting these elder brothers to join the celebration.
Statistics Regarding Faith Preferences in Winter Springs
(This is an elder brother subculture, highly religious yet low in faith receptivity.)
Every subculture is filled with both younger brothers and elder brothers. Younger brothers are those who seek to find meaning apart from the Father, acting as the final authority on matters of truth as they rebel against the Father in reckless living. Elder brothers are those who seek to obey all of the Father's rules, believing that their obedience merits the Father's acceptance. Neither is ultimately after a relationship with the Father, but rather the Father's stuff. Both are lost and in need of the gospel.
The gospel takes away the shame and disgrace of the younger brother because Jesus was shamed in the younger brother's place. Jesus was spit upon, mocked, and put to death in the most publicly humiliating way possible so that the younger brother might be robed in righteousness rather than shame. The gospel gives hope to the elder brother, who stands on the outside looking in, devastated that his obedience does not and cannot merit the Father's acceptance. The beauty of the gospel is that while we can never obey enough to cause God to look upon us with favor, Jesus lived a perfect obedient life in our place, meriting the Father's acceptance on our behalf. Because of the person and work of Jesus, both younger brothers and elder brothers are invited to come inside and join the celebration.
Winter Springs is a hyper-religious, under-churched area. Highly educated people with traditional family values gathered together in a concentrated area create a breeding ground for moralism. Thus, at a heart level, Winter Springs is filled with many elder brothers who need to hear of the glorious grace of God revealed in the person and work of Jesus. They need to be invited to come in from the cold and join the celebration. Of course, Winter Springs certainly has many younger brothers, as well, who need to hear of the compassion and love of the Father, who pursues them in their most shameful state. They need to hear that Jesus was shamed in their place and offers them a robe of righteousness and a seat at the table. Will you join us in calling both younger and elder brothers to join the celebration of God's glorious grace, revealed to us most surely in the life, death, and resurrection of our true elder brother Jesus?
Jamey Vizzini
Lead Pastor/Planter
CrossPointe Winter Springs
