The Prodigal Son

WED., DEC. 12, 1984, 6:40 AM
FARM, STUDY

This, of course, is the name most often given to a story I, as Jesus, told, that was recorded as Scripture. It has been retold and reread and preached about as often as any other such parable. One of My major tasks, as Holy Spirit, is to interpret these old stories for each modern time. This I shall do with you this morning, o son… not as a duty, but as an opportunity.

If it is a parable, which I have said it is, then the fathers’ motivations and actions are representative of Mine as God, the Father. I give blessings, even of Myself, and then allow a son to go away from Me, into living that is decadent and non-productive, but which can encourage spiritual growth, in a rather perverse way. The son uses these blessings lavishly until they are gone, and he finds himself in a state of unblessedness. He returns to his father just to serve, not to receive more blessings, for all that he originally “deserved” are gone.

But his father receives him as a son and celebrates his return, for the one who has been lost is found. The other son, who has remained in faithful sonship, is envious and angry that he has not been so honored and celebrated. Goodness seems to have no great reward, while there is joy when the prodigal, who has been lost, returns home.

This story certainly tells of forgiveness by Me, as Father, and of desire that those sons who have strayed shall return to Me. Still, the story tells only of the day of return, where mercy is the spiritual gift. The next days it is likely that I shall remain loving, but show forth more justice. The son shall remain a son, but shall not sit around with a ring on his finger, munching on the remains of fatted calf. If he has begun to grow in spirit he must be a servant, doing some of the tough jobs around the place. The Father shall have no trouble with his composite role as servant and son, but others may… and so may he, the son, if he has not grown from the experience as he should.

The other son represents all good Christians (as I say to you) who remain true to Me, the Father (as they see it) and whose sins are not blatant and obvious, but more “white collar” sins. They have done what I asked, but have not grown in the process. They want to protect what they have rather than give it away to an undeserving brother. They want to be rewarded for goodness and faithfulness, and, in effect, I say, “These are reward in themselves… but have you grown as a result?”

When you reach out to Me (and My reaching out to you) in spiritual growth you realize that “We are both servants and both sons… confusing, but it’s true”. I am THE Son, but I also am servant, even of those who reject Me. In a paradoxic way each role makes the other more vivid and real. As you accept your sonship you want to serve, even as the tasks are unpleasant. But as you serve in selfless ways you realize relationship with Me… and that this is the way to true sonship. It is an important realization about self, about Me, and about earth life.

You have some low-level resentment that you, as a faithful elder, have not been asked to an important, obvious place in your church life. New people come in and are given these positions quite readily. Yet you know what I want you to do, and you are doing that well. Remember the sulky brother, and do not do likewise. You have plenty of rewards from what you do. Enjoy these and be glad that others come in to join you in service.

You have not had the genuine prodigal experience. You have not taken from Me and then rejected Me for “living apart”. And you shall not. In some ways, then, your growth is easier, and in some ways harder. You benefit from My mercy, but you must also bow to My justice. And as you do, as a servant, you realize that you also wear the robe and the ring of sonship, which you share with Me. And this realization makes servanthood a marvelous experience. I smile when I say that.

Shalom
7:48 AM
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