The Parable of the Prodigal Son in its original telling was an appeal to the Pharisees and scribes. They objected to Jesus' eating with sinners, so he told them three stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. But in the story of the lost son, he added a second lost son, the older son who did not leave home. When his prodigal younger brother came home and his father threw him a party in celebration, he refused to join the party. His father came out and pleaded with him to join in rejoicing that his brother, who was lost was found, who was dead was alive. But at the end of the story, Jesus leaves his listeners hanging: will the older son join the party, or will the reception of his brother leave the older son in rebellion, like the Pharisees. God has room in his house for both the reformed rebel and for the person raised with the Word who can't ever remember not believing and trusting God. So Jesus never gave up appealing to the Pharisees who tried so hard to keep the Law, just as he never gave up appealing to notorious sinners to repent. |
