Picture That

(Luke 15:11-32 ESV)

Usually at the end of a story loose ends are wrapped up.

Satisfied sigh. 

Other times, a lingering question niggles away.

As in the case of the Prodigal Son.

To be clear, the Prodigal and his family are characters in a parable, not actual people.

Theirs is just a story. 

But why doesn’t Jesus tie up every loose end?

Perhaps He’s inviting us to figure out where we fit into the parts of the story He does tell. 

Then step beyond.

Meet Him after the story.

Which is what happens to me.

Join me near the end of the Prodigal’s parable.

All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day’s work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. (v. 25)

Older son.

Sweaty and tired.

Not in much of a party mood.

The laughter and song of those who are in a party mood spill out into the yard.

Which must be annoying.

Not nearly as annoying, though, as discovering his prodigal brother is the party’s guest of honor.

Right about here the older son throws a man-sized temper tantrum.

And refuses to enter the house.

A crescent moon hangs from an onyx sky above the fields.

A serene backdrop of dark quiet.

In sharp contrast to the party lights and noise inside.

Picture that . . .

Now add the older son to the scene.

Standing in the yard.

Alone. 

Note his defiant body language.

And dour expression.

Next picture the father stepping through the back door.

Perhaps your father would be disappointed in such childish behavior.

Maybe pull a stern dad look.

Or deliver an I’m-your-father-and-you’re-going-to-get-in-there-with-a-smile-on-our-face lecture.

My dad might’ve.

But not this dad.

This dad meets his son where he is.

In the yard and in a mood.

Finding his son as our Father finds us.

Wherever we are.

However we are.

Picture the father and son . . .

In the yard.

Inhaling the night air.

In tandem.

Until the father utters two of the most powerful words a son can hear.

My son . . .

(Luke 15:31 NIV)

Conveying, above all else, the importance of who his child is to him.

And how he treasures their relationship.

Throughout His Word the Lord reminds individuals and nations that He is with them. 

I am with you, I am with you . . .

Over and over.

But the father in this parable turns the phrase.

 “You are always with me.” 

(Luke 15:31 NIV)

A shift in who is with whom.

Picture that . . .

In my post-grief season, I am hyper-aware of being alone. 

Increasingly so.

Which makes me feel anxious.

And the sensation of feeling anxious makes me feel more anxious.

Vicious cycle.

I read the father’s words aloud.

My Father’s words.

To me.

My daughter, you are always with Me.

Sometimes we just need to hear, out loud, a truth we already know.

I wonder what happens next in the yard outside that party.

The parable party.

Maybe the older son just needs to hear, in spoken words, a truth he already knows.

In the power of that, do he and his dad end up hugging it out right there?

A full-on body hug?

I hope so.

Picture that . . .

See you in a couple weeks.

Love,