“But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”
—Mark 10:43-44
“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
—Luke 15:21-14
As a child, I recall hearing the parable explained in terms of the love and forgiveness of the Father.
A bit later, I heard the parable with an emphasis on the younger son, who had scorned his father, lost himself and his way, and had to hit rock bottom before humbling himself to return home. But he did, and his father welcomed him.
Even later, I heard the parable sadly describing the older son, who harbored resentment at the grace and welcome given to his younger brother. Perhaps he had never really suffered, and so didn't know how good things had been for him all along. Or perhaps he had a little of Jonah in him.
Most recently, I hear the parable populated with more characters. There is the nameless citizen of the “far country” who at least hired him to feed the pigs. There are the indifferent observers of his condition, who saw his devastation but gave him nothing. And there are the servants in the father's house.
The young son, in his shame and humility and repentance was more than willing to be one of them.
And it was the servants to whom the father gave instruction. To clothe him and prepare a feast in his honor and to join in the celebration. And so they did.
Paul, Titus, James, and Jude all introduced themselves in letters as servants of the Lord. Paul commended Phoebe and Epaphras as servants. Jesus Himself took on the form of a servant.
And the Father commanded His servants to welcome and celebrate and rejoice over His returning children.
Servants
O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
—Psalm 116:16
“But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”
—Mark 10:43-44
“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
—Luke 15:21-14
As a child, I recall hearing the parable explained in terms of the love and forgiveness of the Father.
A bit later, I heard the parable with an emphasis on the younger son, who had scorned his father, lost himself and his way, and had to hit rock bottom before humbling himself to return home. But he did, and his father welcomed him.
Even later, I heard the parable sadly describing the older son, who harbored resentment at the grace and welcome given to his younger brother. Perhaps he had never really suffered, and so didn't know how good things had been for him all along. Or perhaps he had a little of Jonah in him.
Most recently, I hear the parable populated with more characters. There is the nameless citizen of the “far country” who at least hired him to feed the pigs. There are the indifferent observers of his condition, who saw his devastation but gave him nothing. And there are the servants in the father's house.
The young son, in his shame and humility and repentance was more than willing to be one of them.
And it was the servants to whom the father gave instruction. To clothe him and prepare a feast in his honor and to join in the celebration. And so they did.
Paul, Titus, James, and Jude all introduced themselves in letters as servants of the Lord. Paul commended Phoebe and Epaphras as servants. Jesus Himself took on the form of a servant.
And the Father commanded His servants to welcome and celebrate and rejoice over His returning children.