Luke 15: 20-24 What Really Matters

Luke 15: 20-24. What Really Matters

20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

What is happening in this scripture? – This beloved story of the Prodigal Son and the Elder Son, has been told, written about, discussed, for so many years. Indeed, it is rich with meaning and wisdom. I will concentrate on these few lines. He has been in a faraway land. He has lived fast and loose and has squandered all of his inheritance. Now there is a famine in the land, and he has nothing.
The young man has come to decide that he will return to his father, tell him he has sinned and that he is no longer worthy to be called his son, and ask him to treat him as one of his hired hands. After all, the hired hands can at least eat their fill. They aren’t starving. He has rehearsed all that he will say. We do not know if the young man is doing this to be manipulative or not, but we do know that he has fallen to the level of desiring even the food of a pig.
But the scripture says that while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. The son tries to go into his spiel, a speech designed to convince his father of his contriteness, but before he can get the entire sentence out of his mouth, his father has sent for a robe, a ring and sandals. This is not a time for woeful confession. This is a time for celebration, for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!

How is this happening in the world today? – I think this story is about what matters. What matters when you are starving? Food. What matters when you are feeling guilty? Grace and forgiveness. What matters when your son has been lost and presumed dead? Discovering he is alive! What matters when you have messed up so badly that you can’t imagine God or anyone else caring one single nit about you and your welfare? Finding out that nothing can destroy the love that is indestructible. What matters when you are lost? Coming home. Being found. Belonging, and being loved. The prophet Micah said long ago that what matters is seeking justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.

How is this my story? – Eternal God, source of life and love, you teach us with this story and by the actions of Jesus what really matters to you. I thank you every day that my relationship with you is based on unconditional love, and not my behavior. Every parent who has ever loved knows you Lord, because this is exactly how they feel about their own children: Loving. That is what matters. -RSP