The Road Home (part 1)

by Jim Reynolds⁽¹¹⁾

The young man almost turned back several times. But back to what? His money was gone and, when the good times it afforded ended, his so-called friends also quickly vanished. So, forward then. But forward to what? Shame and dishonor. When he arrived outside the city, he would likely be ostracized. Not many months ago, he had left home, head held high in what he had fooled himself into believing was self reliance, but was in fact arrogance, swagger, and contempt. He rehearsed his speech one more time: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.” Surely his father would take him back under such an agreement. And being a servant in his father’s house beat starving to death. Maybe – just maybe – he could work his way back onto his father’s good side. “It doesn’t really matter,” he thought to himself. “There’s nothing behind me but hopelessness. With my own father, there’s at least a chance.” With the thinnest sliver of hope driving him on, the young man impatiently picked up his pace and began jogging.

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What we know as the Parable of the Prodigal Son is filled with tension and drama below the surface. We know this because we have experienced it. Depending on your view of “home” in Jesus’ timeless story, we are all fellow “prodigals,” somewhere between “coming to our senses” and heading back to the Father, between recognizing our own stink and humbly repenting. Somewhere on the road home. We have all fallen short of God’s glory. We are no better than sheep, running astray. We need Him to meet and rescue us.

We can also relate to other characters in the tale. Like the older brother, I am sometimes incensed by the inequities and injustice in my world. When asked to forgive someone who truly does not deserve my mercy, I marvel at the father’s impatience! to reach his son and restore him completely. There are, however, some forgotten characters, men and women I have missed until recently, but who are key to the resolution. They are, in fact, the Prodigal’s primary examples of what it means to belong to the father’s household. Luke 15:17 -- " When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!

The father’s servants play three roles that we in the church ought to emulate, three roles that will help all the prodigals find home. First, they…

Serve – Of course they do, they are servants! But when the son was spotted coming down the road, when the father ran to meet him, the servants ran WITH him! The son began his probably well-rehearsed speech, the father interrupted him, and then Luke 15:22-24 -- But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'

Again, it seems obvious, but these servants did everything the father asked and they did it “quickly!” Look at the variety of what was necessary.

One – or more – had to retrieve the ring, sandals, and robe.

Several were probably charged with the feast preparations. Some sacrificed the fatted calf. A skilled cook went to work roasting the meat and fixing breads, vegetables, and other goodies.

A crew of servants prepared the dining room.

Someone lined up the music.

A group went door to door with personal invitations.

Yes, we are all prodigals, but we are also all servants in our Father’s house. As such, we must do everything He asks and we must do so “quickly” and with enthusiasm. Furthermore, it takes all of us – and each of us – doing our individual jobs to fulfill the plan our Father has for His returning prodigals.

We often quote Eph. 2:8-9 in evangelistic presentations, but the very next verse reminds, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The first two verses, of course, clarify the reality that we can never get to heaven by our own works. Might it be possible then that these works in verse 10 refer to we who already know Him? Is it not possible that the works of His servants are key influences on bringing people to Christ? What is your role? What is your ministry? How does the Father want to work through you to bring the prodigals home?

Walk WITH Jesus,

Jim

Article submitted Friday, May 07, 2010 & read 213 times.

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» left by teresa ortiz (1 year 276 days ago.)

Excellent Jim! What a wonderful intro, it brought me right in and prepared my heart for what was to come. This is a wondeful lesson and reminder. All too often many of us respond as the older brother did instead of like the servants. I can't wait to read part 2!!! Blessings to you and yours! Teresa
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