The Prodigal Son

We are most interested in stories when we can identify with one of the characters.  We don’t care about the story unless we care about one of the people in the story.  In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the best story Jesus told, we identify with all of the characters at one time or another.

At some point in our lives we are the younger son in the story.  At some point we defy the rules and rebel against expectations.  Maybe we do it in a spectacular way that scandalizes everyone we know.  Maybe we do it in a more subtle way that flies under the radar.  One way or another, at some point in our lives we demonstrate some behavior that gets us in trouble.

At some point in our lives we are the older son in the story.  At some point we will be resentful and judgmental.  Maybe we see people do what we once did, and we are horrified by the memory.  Maybe we can’t imagine why people do what they do, and we have no empathy.  One way or another, at some point in our lives we demonstrate an attitude that causes us problems.

At some point in our lives we are the father in the story.  At some point it is no longer about us.  Our behavior and our attitude are no longer issues.  Our purpose is to extend grace to others.

In our sermon this Sunday we will look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  It is the story of humanity, the story of our salvation, the story of our journey back home to God.