Sunday 19 March
Read Luke 15:25-32
“‘Meanwhile, the elder son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 “Your brother has come,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.”
28 ‘The elder brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!”
31 ‘“My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”’ (NIVUK)
Why is the older son so angry? Because the grace and mercy lavished upon the younger son is so undeserved and unearned. From our perspective it seems like the younger son is restored as if nothing has happened, as if it has cost nothing. But note the elder brothers’ complaints are mostly about the cost. From his point of view, the fatted calf and sandals and restoration are all coming from his inheritance. After all, the inheritance was divided at the beginning of the story. The younger son had his opportunity and selfishly and foolishly wasted it, but the older son remained faithful. The older son’s assessment is not wrong – even the father agrees – ‘everything I have is yours’ (v31b). However, the cost to him is not outweighed by the joy.
Salvation is not free. The older son is right. Welcoming the younger son is costly. The older son does not want to bear the cost of restoring his brother to the family. But the father pleads with the older son, reminds him of the pitiable state his brother was in and asks if there is any other response possible but celebration at his return.
Jesus leaves the response of the older son to the father’s generosity and joy frustratingly unresolved. We want to know the end of the story! As it turns out Jesus himself is the resolution to the story. He is our true older brother. He was willing to bear the cost though it end in suffering and death.
“In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 2:10-11 and 12:2-3) (NIVUK)
Welcome to the family! Welcome home…
