Today’s scripture: Luke 15:11-32 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Kristin Herrmann):
Today’s reading is the story of the prodigal son. I know Biblical commentaries are consistent in their explanation of who each character represents. The father in the story represents God, who is always ready to welcome home those who have strayed. The youngest son represents those who have turned away from God in a selfish and immature way, and the oldest son represents the Pharisees who are more focused on receiving reward than rejoicing one has returned to the Lord.
Perhaps more study of this chapter would cause me to agree with the commentaries. But during my reading of this passage, the oldest son represented, to me, those who made a serious effort to live by Jesus’ teachings. I didn’t attribute the brother’s anger at the party for his brother to jealousy. I didn’t get the sense he wanted a party thrown in his honor instead. I saw his anger as a cover for self-doubt. I think he just wanted some sort of feedback that his decision to work hard for his father had been the right choice.
We are taught hard work yields prosperity. In our reading, the older brother defines reward as a gift of livestock — something of material value. The error in his “hard work yields prosperity” philosophy is defining prosperity as material reward instead of spiritual reward. I believe the father makes the distinction between the two by reminding his son of the spiritual reward, their shared life. It’s as though the father says, “The type of shared life you and I live is important. This party isn’t as important as the fact your brother now wants to join us in how we live our lives.”
The father doesn’t define the spiritual components of their shared lives. I guess that’s up for us to define in our own walk with God.
Thought for the day: Take a minute and think about this: What would you consider the spiritual reward for following Jesus’ teachings over the course of your daily life?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.