The Two Sons

Then, Jesus tells another story about a family: a father, and two sons. One son was a rebel, who had no love for his family. The other son was a do-gooder, dutiful, and hardworking.

The rebel son wanted whatever property, or money, he would receive when his father died now! The only value his father, and his father’s work, had for him was how big of a party he could throw.

Amazingly, even the son practically yelled at the top of his lungs “I hate you! I hate it here! I can’t wait to get out of here!” his father gave him his inheritance. He turned it into cash, left the area, and started one long continuous party, for as long as the money lasted.

And he does run out of money … right in the middle of a famine. He can’t provide for himself. And he can’t get a job that can provide what he needs.

Suddenly, a light turns on. He remembers his father, and life back home. He knows not one of the people, who work for his father, are going hungry, or are lacking anything.

So, he packs up, goes home, and prepares to eat humble pie. He meets his father, confesses he screwed up, and all he is looking for now is a job.

But his father is so glad he is home, safe, and well, that he throws a party to celebrate.

The do-gooder son worked hard, and did everything his was supposed to do. And he gets angry when he finds out that his brother – the selfish, self-centered, brat! – has returned, and his father is celebrating.

The do-gooder son does not have the father’s heart. The father realizes that life is not all play. The father realizes that the rebel son has made decisions that have hurt his life, and negatively affected his life in all areas.

But the father loves both his sons. And the rebel son has made a vital decision: he chose to move back into relationship with his father.

The story is about God’s heart. God is serious about how people live. Their behavior, and lifestyles, affect themselves, their destiny, and how God is represented. Optimum living is derived from how close one keeps to how one is designed.

But God loves everyone. Those who walk away from him. And those who walk with him.

And because the number one, foremost item that brings wholeness, and completion, to people in life is a relationship with Father, he celebrates each, and every, one who chooses to return, and walk with him, no matter where they are coming from.