God's love limitless
JOE MILLER JR.

Luke 15:11-32

This scripture is called "The parable of The Prodigal Son," a title that was given in the 16th century. The world prodigal comes from a Latin word that means "wastefully extravagant." The younger son in the parable lives up to that description as Luke writes about his adventure where "he squandered his property in dissolute living."

However, the focus of the story is not on the younger son's "dissolute living." This is a very long parable, and this one phrase is all that describes his prodigal behavior until his older brother comments later in the story.

Some modern interpreters have renamed this "The Parable of The Father and The Two Sons"since all 3 play major roles. Others call it "The Parable of The Father" because he has the biggest role. Another title could be "The Parable of Reconciliation."

One of the main themes of the parable is reconciliation or restoration of covenant relationships. The younger son shames his own father by talking him into making a division of his property before he is dead. Then he collects the property that is not rightly his yet, and leaves the family.

Today, children leave and move away from family routinely, but it was highly unusual then. His proper role was to remain with the family unit and help with the work. You know the rest of the story, but notice what the father does and does not do. He welcomes him home like a loving, compassionate father, but he does not even mention the squandered property.

We would surely expect a repayment of some kind: "Glad to have you back Boy, but you will have to work for 10 years to repay me for what you frittered away." The father has granted forgiveness of the debt that was owed, and has restored the covenant relationship that existed before it was ruptured by the son. It is as if he had done nothing wrong in the first place. The father is reconciled with the son.

The older son gets very upset and throws a huge temper tantrum, which is very unlike him. Up until this moment he has been the perfect son, never asking for anything, doing what he was told to do, and working hard for his father. He seems to be jealous because the father is treating "this son of yours" royally without extracting any penitence from him. There seems to be no justice in this case, and he is miffed.

The father then attempts to restore the covenant relationship between the older son and "this brother of yours" who is now alive and found instead of dead and lost. It is a time for celebration, not jealously. The father has plenty of love for both sons. God's love is limitless.

Does it matter what title we give this parable? As a parable about reconciliation it gives us a flavor regarding salvation. Salvation is reconciliation or the restoration of the relationship between God and fallen humankind. Created in the image of God, we sin and sin mightily. Yet, God takes us back no matter what we have done, and our sins are forgiven and forgotten. The debt has already been paid. Salvation is also a reconciliation between brothers and sisters; the children of God. Instead of killing each other, God intends for us to celebrate our relationships with him and each other.

This parable has no ending. After the father lectures the older son, the parable ends. What did he choose to do? Did he welcome his brother back home and join the celebration or did he sulk off never to be a part of the covenant relationship again? We do not know. Jesus chose to leave the ending open. Perhaps he wanted to leave the option of what to do with us. We can choose to be like the Pharisees who criticized Jesus for eating and associating with sinners, or we can be like the father who welcomes the prodigal back into the family.

The best place to learn the way of Christ Jesus is in church. If you have a church, worship passionately. If you do not have a church, find one. East Texas is full of good churches. Email me at newtonumc@valornet.com with your thoughts.

Joe Miller Jr. is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Newton.