The Father’s Heart

As we have been looking at the parable of the prodigal sons in Luke 15, one thing we must notice is the father’s heart for his lost boys. One is lost in his rebellion; one is lost in his religion. One is lost in his immorality; the other is lost in his morality. But neither is entering the father’s joy.

I can see these brothers pointing fingers at each other. I can hear the younger saying, “You religious hypocrite with your self-righteous judgementalism, you are far worse than I am. At least I am authentic and true to myself”.

The elder brother would respond, “You selfish little (fill in the blank), you waltz out of here shirking your responsibilities, blowing all your opportunities, and now you come slinking back, the lizard you are, hoping Dad will bail you out. Get a job and a life!”

Yeah, I could see that.

But notice the Father’s heart for both his boys. He embraces the younger son without reserve. And he goes out to the elder son to plead with him to join the feast.

I know younger brother types who have come to Christ from a pretty rough background, but who sometimes wear that like a badge and pride themselves on their “relevance”. And I know elder brother types who have come to Christ because being religious was the right thing to do. Only later did they discover the gospel was for them too!

But it’s not really about how you came to the father. It’s about the father! It’s about his heart, his joy, and his feast! And it’s about embracing anyone who is invited to the father’s feast.It’s about younger brothers and elder brothers quitting their quarreling and joining the father’s feast. Because we are all there by grace!

And it’s all about the father!

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,
Pastor Tom