Always the Hero, Part 2

Our tendency to read ourselves as the good guy also hurts us when we read the parable of the lost son. (I prefer to call it “lost son” instead of “prodigal son” because in the end, the “lost son” isn’t the same as the “prodigal son.” The lost son ends up being the older brother.)

We see the images of the father running to his wayward son and think, “Boy, how great that God will run to get me when I come to my senses and turn back to him.”

Let’s remember the context for Luke 15, where Jesus tells these three stories of lost things.

The chapter begins this way:

“Now the tax collectors and ‘sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1-2).

Everything Jesus is about to say is in response to this charge. The Pharisees are offended that Jesus would associate with these “lost” people.

So Jesus tells a story about a lost sheep (15:3-7). The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine safe sheep to go look after the one who is lost, because lost things are important.

He tells a second story about a lost coin (15:8-10). The woman leaves her ten safe coins to fine the one that is lost, because lost things are important!

He tells a third story about a lost son (15:11-32). A father has two sons, a safe one and a lost one. The lost one goes away, spends away his inheritance and lives a bawdy lifestyle, and then returns home. The father is ecstatic and runs to greet him. But the safe, older brother is mad, thinking the father’s welcome embrace is unfair. But the safe brother is wrong! Lost things are important!

Jesus tells the first two stories with his audience quietly nodding in approval. But when he ends his third story, his message is clear: You (Pharisees) are the older brother! Quit worrying about me eating with tax collectors and sinners! Lost things are important!”

This parable in Luke 15 is not about a God who runs to greet his wayward children. It’s about God’s people who get mad when God shows attention, love, and compassion to “lost” people – in this particular instance, tax collectors and sinners.