The prodigal son
Day 353, Wednesday, July 30
Luke Chapter 15 – 17:19
One good way I’ve learned to read Bible stories—especially parables—is to think about them from the point of view of different characters.
In the story we usually know as the Prodigal Son, we tend to think of it from the point of view of the returning son. Maybe we also look at it from the perspective of the father. But what about others? How would the servants have looked at it—or the older brother?
I think many of us fit more naturally into the perspective of the older brother than others in the story.
The church, at least in its modern incarnation, typically attracts people who are more conventional and responsible. That’s good for stability, but not always good for evangelism.
We like to say we would welcome the prodigal home—but would we really? Don’t we tend to think that people who waste their resources are only getting what they deserve when it catches up with them?
To put it in a more spiritual context, don’t we look with suspicion at those who have strayed far from the conventional Christian path when they announce that now they have been saved and accepted Christ? Don’t we even, like the older brother, feel a bit envious of those who look like they’ve been out having fun while we’ve been constrained and responsible?
We always recognize that the father in the story is representative of God, but do we really join him in his joy at the sinner who repents and returns?

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Wednesday meditation

Job 13:1-12
“My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips. Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal? He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality. Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you? Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.

Prayer focus
Lord, give us the grace to view the sinner as a child of God, and look at the repentant sinner with unmixed joy at their redemption.