From slave to son

I was recently inspired to view the story of the prodigal son in a refreshing light. I have traditionally viewed the story in Luke 15:11-32 as a story of redemption for a wayward son (Gentile), and a reminder-rebuke to the eldest son (Jew).

Although that remains true on a broader level, there is something unique and challenging about the prodigal son’s acceptance of sonship when he returns home.

We notice that after “coming to his senses” in 15:17-20, his plan was to only be welcomed back as a “hired servant” not as a son.

His guilt and shame for prematurely spending his father’s inheritance produced so much guilt and inner conflict that he felt he had no right to be accepted back as a full-fledged son. He was undeserving of the blessings, benefits, and birthrights of sonship.

But then we hear the following words from his father upon his return, “quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So, they began to celebrate.”

Indeed, this story is a beautiful picture of restoration and redemption that warms our hearts to read. But it also poses a question for those of us who have placed our faith in Christ and received him into our hearts. Do we accept the sonship with its blessings and privileges that Jesus extends to us, or do we insist on only being a “hired hand,” unworthy and undeserving?

He wants more in a relationship with us than just our service, praise, and sacrifice performed as a Christian duty.

Those are great ways to show our devotion to God, but he wants us, as sons and daughters, to show that kind of devotion because we are his children. We must live in Freedom not condemnation, security over fear, and intimacy instead of estrangement. When we live like his children our confidence soars and our relationship deepens. As Jason Grey (contemporary Christian singer) states in song title, we need to be “reminded of who we are.”

We can suffer from spiritual amnesia quite easily. We need to remember that a robe has been placed on our back, a ring on our finger, sandals on our feet, and a calf sacrificed on our behalf. That’s how excited Jesus is when a sheep is found, and a son comes home.

We are more than servants; we are children of the living God whom he has poured out his love for. Let’s live like his sons and daughters this week.

Donny Crandell is pastor of Crossroads Church of the Nazarene.