In the parable of the prodigal son, the younger son asks for his inheritance now while his father is still alive. This was shocking in his culture; it’s like wishing him dead! So, he takes that inheritance and leaves his country to spend it wastefully. To make a long parable short, he ends his journey hungry and destitute.
His Welcome Home
When he comes to his senses, he returns home and begs his father to accept him as a slave. Instead, the father welcomes him and throws him a celebration. The main course at this celebration was a fatted calf, which symbolically showed the richness of the father’s welcome:
“The father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. Bring here the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and be merry. For this son of mine was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ So, they began to be merry (Luke 15:22-24).”
The Elder Son Refuses to Celebrate
Meanwhile, that same father had an elder son who faithfully served the father. He complained to his father and wouldn’t attend his brother’s party, saying,
“Look! These many years have I served you. Nor have I ever transgressed your commands, yet never have you given me a goat, so that I might be merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed the fattened calf for him (Luke 15:29-30).”
The Objection to the Parable
The Presenting Problem
This is a familiar story to many people, even those unfamiliar with many Bible stories. But I had an interesting interaction with someone familiar with the Bible, who objected to this parable’s interpretation. Or at least, that’s what it seemed like. It turned out that was only the presenting problem, not her real issue.
The Father is God
When Christians teach about the parable of the prodigal son, they identify the father as God. And usually, Christians don’t criticize God’s judgments. But, in this case, this person did. And it took a while to understand why. At first, it seemed like she disagreed with how the parable was interpreted.
The Father’s Not Fair!
He Favored the Rebel
This was her objection. The elder son DESERVED recognition and thanks for doing right and staying with the father. Why say he had a poor attitude? Why didn’t the father treat that older son with respect and thanksgiving? He should be fair to BOTH sons and stop favoring the rebel!!
She continued. The elder son WAS right until he realized the father was favoring the younger, even though the younger had dishonored his father and God. Sure, he repented, but that shouldn’t lead to favoritism. We should be thankful he repented and praise God that he did. But we should NEVER treat that returned prodigal better than the one who did right.
He’s a Hypocrite
She said, I’ve been there; I know what I speak. The hypocrisies of parents are overshadowed only by their manipulation of children.
Just the Facts
So far, I didn’t have my empathy antennae working, so I missed her clue. I responded to her objection by asking, Was the younger son really treated better? The father just welcomed him back. The father said that all he owned was the elder son’s anytime he asked for it. The younger son no longer had an inheritance. Personally, I’d rather be in the elder son’s shoes.
He Praised the Rebel
She continued. The younger was praised, given choice raiment and a ring, then thrown a party. The elder is never mentioned or even thanked for doing right. Yes, he gets the inheritance. But sometimes children need some uplifting, encouraging words from their parents. “Things” are not worth much when the parent never says they love or appreciate you. In real life, I am the elder. I’ve always stayed true, faithful, and honoring. And I remain so. But the rebel siblings who lived in open sin and pleased the devil are praised by the parents and given the inheritance. At the same time, I was cut out and ostracized for following the Lord. Yes, I’m with you; I would rather be in the elder’s shoes. But what the father did to the rebel younger sibling was just WRONG and nepotism.
Addressing the Pain, Not the Interpretation
She was Betrayed
Being dense, I was ready to further expound on the parable of the prodigal son,. To say that Jesus’ point (parables usually have one central point) wasn’t addressing her issue. But when I really listened and thought about this, I realized she was upset, and it wasn’t with the interpretation of the parable. She had been hurt and felt betrayed, so finally, it made sense to address her pain instead of her interpretation.
She was Hurting
So, I responded by saying, I feel your pain. I’m the eldest too. Yeah, the pain of betrayal is real. The person who takes the high road often loses in this life. It’s easy for the one without class and honor to make the honorable look bad. Hey Christian sister, I don’t say this lightly: Is it enough that God sees your faithfulness? That Jesus went through even worse? We share a comfort: the fellowship of Jesus’ sufferings. Blessings and prayers are sent your way. Be comforted; the day of our redemption draws nigh!
Future Forgiveness?
This was an online discussion group, so other people were correcting her interpretation too. However, that wasn’t her point; she needed someone to recognize her pain. We’ve all been betrayed at some point. Hopefully, she can find it in her heart to forgive her bullies as Christ forgave her.
Seeing the Issue
Someone may learn something from my ignorance and lack of empathy. Being Biblically correct is important, but sometimes that’s not the issue.
