The Difference Between Grace & Anger

Where does it come from?

There are many story lines in this parable. You likely know them well. The lost son is found (Jesus’ main point). The greed of humanity. The love of the father. The hope of a parent. A grace that watches and waits. The sourness of presumed righteousness. And more.

Something else jumps out to me as I read it through this time. Just what is it that made the difference between the father’s response and the second son’s response? We might assume it’s the difference between being a parent and being a sibling. We could certainly imagine that. But we could also imagine a bitter father or an angry father - perhaps for nothing more than blowing an inheritance!. And we could imagine a loving and thankful brother.

So what is it that forms and shapes in us different responses to restoration?

Luke 15:11-32

Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them. Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.

“When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death! I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’ So he got up and went to his father.

“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.’ Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him. He answered his father, ‘Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ Then his father said, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.’”

Prayer

God,

Give me vision for the moment. This one. Today. Help me to see what’s in front of me - creation, people, opportunities both for production and for rest.

But also give me capacity. Fill my lungs with the breath of your Spirit. I really like jump that earl grey tea gives these days, but I’d love actual inspiration, which is to be filled with the space for purpose.

And Lord, bless your church today. Move us to the things of Christ. I do like well-worded prayers and songs and scripture, God, but give us whatever it is that leads to action.

By your Spirit & in Christ,

Amen.