"A certain man had two sons..."

by guest blogger, BroKen

Some religious people of his day complained about Jesus' habit of spending time with sinners, even eating with them, so he tells some stories to illustrate that “the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” The last story begins, “A certain man had two sons.” One son leaves home and squanders his inheritance. When he finally decides to return home, his father throws a big party because “this son of mine was dead and is alive again.”

We call that story The Prodigal Son. I used to think the word meant wicked, but it doesn't. “Prodigal” means generous or reckless; a spendthrift. Although the story has been used to call wicked people back to God, that is not the point. All that matters for the story is that the son had made a mess of things by wasting what had been given him. He is less wicked than foolish.

A phrase that sticks out to me in the story is “he began to be in need.” That goes a long way to explaining his behavior. He took for granted that his needs had always been met by his father. Wouldn't they always be? Well, maybe not, outside the father's house. And then there is this phrase after the neediness sets in....“no one gave him anything.”

He had lived as if there were a boundless supply, giving freely to all. That is how it was at home. But now in his need, people won't reciprocate. Isn't that the world we know? People take. They don't give.

When he finally does get back home, his older brother won't celebrate the return of this reprobate. That is the point of the whole story. Jesus is prodding the religious folks who look down on sinners to join in the celebration when sinners repent. The refusal to accept the Prodigal brother is the real wickedness. The story exposes that wickedness to anyone who has ears to hear.

I've been wondering if we couldn't rename the story, The Liberal Son. Liberals tend to be generous (at least with other people's money) to point of recklessness. They seem to take for granted the wealth and social structures in America which produce the wealth we've inherited from our ancestors But if the name is changed to Liberal Son, then we'd have to call the other brother, the conservative son, wouldn't we?

It seems likely that liberal policies in the nation will lead to a social train-wreck like it has in, say, Detroit. When they begin to be in need, we'll have to see if those who voted for such policies will come to their senses and decide to come home to the wisdom of the founding fathers. Or will they just blame it all on their older brother?

It is my hope and prayer that there will be many, many conservative sons who know Jesus' story and have developed the heart of their Father in Heaven. Then, if the liberals come home, we can party.

Comments

[chuck aka xtnyoda]

I read about a "domesticated" deer recently that had been set free prematurely and there was fear that it could no longer survive on it's own. That story has been told about many different situations and animals.

In thinking about the latest story the gruesome thought hit me that many humans are being domesticated by governmental hand outs. Humans that are dependent on governmental assistance and can no longer make it on their own.

Then the thought hit me, could any government do this on purpose to it's citizens in order to control them?

Domesticated humans.

[Rick]

Nicely done Ken...

[BroKen]

Thanks guys. Here is a longer, deeper look at issues raised in my piece. It is very different, but I am amazed at how similar it is.

http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/2013/04/better-or-worse.html