We all love the story of the prodigal son. That a loved one can fall far but recover and return is the hope of everyone with a black sheep in the family.
Of course the father, recognizing the sincere repentance of his son, accepts him back into the fold and celebrates the return. However, I think that many people hold out too long for and offer too much to prodigal sons.
"What would Jesus do?" is a fine question to ask when faced with any situation. However, let's not misconstrue Jesus when answering the question ourselves.
In the parable, the father does not keep giving to the prodigal son, hoping against hope that the son will get his life together. The son has to hit rock bottom and suffer for a long time before he comes to his senses, repents, and begs forgiveness.
Recall that in the parable, the son says, "I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men." He has to repent truly for his transgressions and demonstrate a clear willingness to forsake the sins of the past and live as the insignificant man whom he has made himself.
Jesus forgives in the face of repentance. He forgave the thief who knew that he was a sinner and defended the innocent Jesus. Jesus told that thief that he (the thief) would soon be with him (Jesus) in Paradise. He said nothing of the other thief who did not repent.
Ah, yes - the all to often made point regarding the forgiveness of the younger son. Lest we not forget what follows in the parable. The eldest son refuses to attend the festivities in celebration of the younger son's return, and the father has slaughtered the fat calf for the son who betrayed him. The youngest son is envious (and somehow feels mistreated) that the father is celebrating the return of his son, because the eldest was with his father all along. The father also forgives this son for his accusations, so quickly so that we scarcely even notice while reading. This parable is one of the best found in the Bible, not only for its message, but also the way it is able to incorporate a plethora of evils.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a quick comment about the parable's exposition, and the common actions/reactions of the father throughout the narrative. The story begins with the son asking the father for his inheritance. Normally such an inheritance would only be acquired upon the imminent demise of the father, as if to say "Dad, I wish you were dead because I want your money, and I want it now!" The father grants the son's request without a question. The father also accepts his son's return without question. Now while Aristos makes an excellent point about him having a penitent heart and the importance therein (specifically to earthly implications). However, one must realize that this text does not solely deal in earthly confines.
Part of the point Jesus is attempting to convey is that our father in heaven has given us a great many blessings which we did not earn, but we will squander many of them nonetheless. He has given us free will to do as we choose, but we choose to sin against him. And despite all of these things, in the presence of an apologetic heart, one who is truly penitent will be absolved of his/her sins even though they do not deserve such treatment.
Perhaps this heavenly realization does have more profound earthly implications as well. That while someone may do wrong unto you, and may not deserve your forgiveness, forgive them anyway as your Father in Heaven forgives you...
The implication is that if you repent, truly repent, and admit that you are scum, then you will be forgiven. Forgiving for the sake of forgiving is not part of the game. Sure, Christ died so that all may be held blameless, but if you refuse to know him as the Son, then he will refuse to know your name.
ReplyDelete