This piece is a wonderful take on the famous “Prodigal Son” story from our friend Bob Ingle over at unheardwordz.com
11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with[a]prodigal living.
(Luke 15:11-13 NKJV)
In Luke 15 we find The Parable of The Prodigal Son, we’ve been taught it’s about a wasteful playboy who, after partying away his inheritance, limped back home in humility. What if there’s another way to see the story… what if The Prodigal is a Parable of Jesus bringing the wealth of His Father to the World?
Jesus partied…His “coming out” was supplying copious amounts of wine at The Wedding party at Cana (John 2:1-12) (Word is, it was the good stuff). Jesus loves big meals, He invited Himself to a dinner party at a notorious Tax Collector’s house, where When He told The Prodigal story, you could say He was the way, the truth, and the life of the party. The Pharisees (The Older Brothers) are offended… The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! Luke 7 … those Broz are “party poopers”.
We’ve been taught the boy squandered his share (Squander: to waste something, especially money or time in a reckless and foolish manner). Jesus was not conservative as He did His Father’s will. He shared His wealth with all who would receive it. Did this promising young Rabbi waste His inheritance or, could He be The Prodigal, a picture of The Trinity, sharing their wealth in the Human experience?
Think of the wealth of experience Jesus shared with His Father, I can hear it now…
Living in our creation was great! I was able to show who You are in so many ways: My miraculous birth is celebrated by gift giving, parties and fulfilled the Words of many faithful Prophets. When I was still a baby Your promise to Simeon was kept and an old Woman named Anna was the first person to preach about me in The Temple. When I was 12 I went back there and joined Mid-rash with The Elders… it was mind-blowing. After my Cousin John baptized me I gathered a group of friends that love Us to death, and beyond.
I was among our people every day as we shared our wealth. We fed thousands, spiritually and physically (it’s amazing what We can do with 5 fish and 2 loaves of bread). People were healed… A woman by just touching my garment, a Roman official’s servant, the lame, the blind, and lepers… people “razed the roof” to reach Us … a Chief Priest’s daughter and our Friend Lazarus were raised from the dead. Demons were cast out… a Brother named Legion was turned loose and preached about it. In one encounter I showed your Grace to a Woman accused of adultery and a group of older Brothers… A meeting with a Samaritan Woman at Jacobs Well made her an Apostle.
There were many face to face encounters with Theologians… When an amazing Sister washed my feet with perfume they were astounded. Brother Nicodemus came to me at night to get it right…. When I declared The Temple a House of Prayer the Older Brothers tried to kill me but, in the end, they lifted me up… My inheritance is increasing.
I can envision The Father saying: Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one… put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet… bring the fat calf. We’ll send them the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead. Lets Party!
As you ponder The Prodigal, consider Jesus… think of the stories and relationships He shared. Ponder the passion of the down-to-earth experiences The Son enjoyed as He lived among His Father’s created likeness. Consider the eternal impact of His shared inheritance… parties then, now, and to come.
Now view your Prodigal You; your life experiences, your relationships, your successes and failures are your inherent wealth, to The Father they aren’t squandered… they’re you, living in The Wealth of The Prodigal.