Week 19 (5 - 11 May): True Sonship

The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-31) seems simple and straightforward enough but as we meditated on it, there was more than meets the eye. The previous parables of the lost sheep and lost coin provided a context to today’s study. In the previous parables, the world views the sinners as the outcasts; as societal rejects. Indeed the Pharisees and the older son see themselves as self-righteous and far superior, creating a gulf between them and the sinners. It is a fallacy of legalism.

One theme emerged as we studied this parable: Equality. The older son was probably heir to the family inheritance which left the younger son disgruntled. He therefore asked for his share and left the family. We often see inequality in our lives; our workplace and at home. Resentment, bitterness and anger may result. This also shows the difficulty of the father’s position just as we navigate the complexities of our human world. But should we as Christians yearn equality? What about the kingdom of God? Shouldn’t we leave it in the Father’s hand and let Him make the decision? We should if we believe His Will is perfect.

Another theme emerged as we delved further: Forgiveness. It must have been so humiliating for the younger son to crawl back to his father. He was at his wits' end. Imagine the insults hurled on him by his elder brother. He did not even dare to ask his father for forgiveness. Instead his father not only forgives him but runs towards him to embrace him. This shows God’s unconditional and unmitigated love towards us for we are all sinners like the younger son. How do we then take it from here and imitate God’s forgiveness towards people who have wronged us?

Our group then explored another perspective. The older son was perfect and set an impossible standard to meet. In the face of this very high expectation, the younger son left after taking some share of the inheritance with him. Yet when the father welcomed the younger son back, the older son was furious because part of the inheritance was splurged away. However the kingdom reality is that “whatever I give to your prodigious brother is not diminished for My supply is limitless”. We are the true heirs of the kingdom of God and our inheritance can never be diminished. True sonship is not about obeying every letter of the Law but it is about imitating God’s heart and His love for the lost sheep.         

On behalf of Diakonia,

George