Two Sons

A man had two sons.

The younger son asked for an early inheritance and left home. He partied, made bad decisions and eventually came to the end of himself. Broke and starving, he decided to come home and beg for a “job” at his father’s estate as a servant.

The father had been watching and waiting for his son’s return. He ran to greet him.

The man ignored his son’s request for servant status and he immediately began restoring… (he restored family status, dignity, entrusted authority). Then he threw a huge party announcing/celebrating his son’s return.

The older son heard the sounds of celebration and asked what was happening. He was told about his brother’s return and the party their father was hosting.

The older son threw a fit and refused to come to the celebration.

His father came outside and begged him to come inside and participate.

The angry older son launched into a speech: “I’ve slaved for you all these years, doing everything you said perfectly. I never got even a little party in my honor… but this demon child of yours comes home broke, tattooed, disease-ridden and hung-over – and you throw the biggest party ever.”

The man showed grace to his older son saying “Everything I have is yours – come, let’s celebrate together.”

These two sons are also in the church today…

The older son is the long-time Christian, the rule follower who believes he has done everything the Father requires perfectly. He is prideful, arrogant and has a hard heart. He believes he deserves recognition for all his work.

The younger son is the new Christian, the rule breaker who believes he doesn’t deserve to be the Father’s child. He is broken, humbled and has a soft heart. He cannot believe his good fortune in getting what he clearly does not deserve.

The Father gives grace to both sons.

There is grace for the younger son – the rule breaker, the sinner, the foolish one.

And there is grace for the older son – the rule follower, the self-righteous, the foolish one.