A Question of Perspective

Your Son or My Brother

In Luke 15:11-32 Jesus tells the story of the “Prodigal Son, or as in my translation, the “Lost Son.” I have read this story many times but the Lord showed me something new this morning, so I thought I would write it down. At the end of the story, the older son asks his servants the reason for the celebration going on. They tell him that his father is rejoicing because his brother has returned.

When he complains to his father that he has never received this kind of a party but when, “this son of yours,” has come back, after wasting all his inheritance, his return brings a celebration. The father replies that he has always been with him, (they have been in constant relationship,) but now this brother of yours who was out of relationship is now back. He was lost but now is found.

What struck me was the older brother’s unwillingness to own the relationship. The “prodigal” was his father’s son but not his brother. The father had not cut him off but the older brother had. Like the question of the Pharisee, “who is my neighbor,” we might also ask, “who is my brother.” Have I cut someone off, disliking, ignoring or avoiding them? Am I upset if someone else is blessed because I don’t think he or she deserves it? Maybe, I think I am the one to get the blessing, not them. If so, I need to ask the question, “why am I jealous of the father’s love for someone else?” Do I think his love for me is inadequate? Do I understand how precious my relationship with him is? It is more than any series of parties. When I understand the value of my relationship with the father, I can respect the way he loves others, no matter what they have done.

“Dear Lord, help me to live in deep relationship to you, valuing that relationship above all things; and help me to learn to love as you love. Help me rejoice at the return of your lost sons and daughters, my brothers and sisters, and help me join in at the celebration. May your family continue to grow. Amen”