30 Mar Sermon – SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2025
The introduction to this parable describes the fact that there are two groups present: tax collectors and sinners on the one hand, Pharisees and scribes on the other. Tax collectors and sinners represent the younger brother Pharisees and scribes, the older one.
All persons mentioned share common lineage, but differ in how they choose to live out their lives. How they assume their respective responsibilities as individuals varies and how they philosophize about shoulds and oughts in their system of belief is worth noting.
No approach seems inherently better or worse until the expectations of others are upended or go unmet. That’s when Jesus begins to hear grumbling, to notice a change of mood and wants to teach a lesson about unkind words being said and harsh judgments made.
Jesus addresses these issues. Whether it is okay to fraternize with those who break the law or don’t follow good order? Those categories equally apply to the younger son, tax collectors and other sinners. This social and religious faux pas occurs both when Jesus allows tax collectors and sinners to come near to listen to him and when the father receives his wayward son.
The same applies to wondering whether it is okay to welcome them and dine together. Doesn’t Jesus know that this only encourages/excuses, even condones unacceptable behavior? At least that’s almost always my excuse for withholding hospitality, support, assistance, or resources. How else do we rationalize permission to not make a personal sacrifice on behalf of others?
Perhaps we might ask, “How often do we quote rules of convention to conveniently elevate our own esteemable value while devaluing the worth of someone else? So Jesus told them this parable of a father with two sons.
The younger said, “Father, give me now the share of property that will belong to me.” I wonder how many times a day God the Father gets asked for blessings in advance of earning them or for mercy toward the undeserving? One might say that prematurely and immaturely, the young son had already acquired two things: a sense of privilege and entitlement. Let’s look at definitions of two terms frequently bandied about.
Privilege is a special advantage one believes should be uniquely available to them which may be bestowed or denied by the system in power, such as being permitted to drive at 16 with a permit. Entitlement is a belief that one inherently deserves special treatment or privilege based on personal reasons or real criteria.
Some entitlements are protected by law, such as eligibility to receive Social Security Income. But by and large privilege and entitlement are attitudes which are inherited, taught or adopted as means to compensate for neglect or feelings of deprivation.
Think about persons not born under the banner of God’s Chosen, the nation of Israel, a preferred class or race of people. In fact, both sons were seeking proof of their worth to the father. They each wanted to be shown that they mattered and held special regard. Like non-Jews known as Gentiles, the young son needed extra reassurance because he was not the chosen one, the firstborn who by all rights, was legally entitled to inherit everything.
And after the father’s death there was no guarantee that the elder son would share all of their father’s property. The younger one might be driven out and end up with nothing, so why not dream about receiving a gift now, even if it is an unearned portion of the father’s bounty?
Where else do we know of such a gift received only by grace equal to the amount of love and generosity shown by the Father because he has deemed that it belongs equally to all of his children? There are so many parallels in the parable between the sons and every sinner since we wrestle constantly with feelings of what we think we deserve versus what we actually receive.
Brene’ Brown says, “What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.” Recognizing and appreciating advantages that come with privilege can help prevent feelings of entitlement. This kind of explains why the younger son appreciated his father’s gift and the elder son resented the father giving it.
This parable is mostly about the father’s generosity, tender compassion and mercy. It’s about the father’s capacity to realize that his offspring are different in every way. Their personalities, constitution, and makeup are unique to them and he must regard them uniquely, as God does with regard to each of us.
Does any generation born upon this earth really understand the sacrifices made by their ancestors or the struggles they endured to gain our freedom or inherit their wealth? What the younger son gains through squandering wealth and experiencing hardship is exactly the perspective that only comes with maturity.
Even though the elder son was much more dedicated and responsible when it came to work or earning his way, he was no more mature since he failed to see and didn’t understand the bigger picture. Jesus included everyone in this parable, all those living in lands near and far, at home and in distant countries.
Everyone has squandered something that was once freely given because they didn’t yet know the actual value of the thing: the love or the wealth in their possession. They didn’t yet know their own actual worth to those they chose to leave behind or to those they once served daily, all the while yearning to be recognized as precious or regarded and claimed as heir apparent who cannot be displaced by the birth of any other person.
One other important lesson from today’s parable is this: Never fail to express love or appreciation to those closest to you. Don’t make a person wonder if they’re good enough or whether they’ve earned something from you.
If you’re worried about giving undeserved positive affirmation, encouragement, or enabling bad behavior, trust God to sort them out. Life has a way of teaching hard lessons through unpleasant experiences, right? And hopefully, those who learn return knowing better and eventually doing better.
We don’t know whether the young son would eventually pawn the ring that his father put on his finger to gamble for fun, or might give the robe placed upon his shoulders to some woman of ill repute down the road. He may have completely repented and become the responsible one. The elder may have turned to drugs or alcohol after making such a fool of himself such that the two sons reverse roles.
The point is that the father loves them both and is willing to give all he has at his disposal to convince them both of their worth and of his deep deep desire to have them both nearby and a part of his daily life. He doesn’t want to lose either of them because they are both precious, unique and differently able.
Let’s look at one more aspect of these relationship dynamics. By all accounts, the father is rich, but he is also vulnerable. He realizes that his sons are grown and able to make decisions independent of him. They can choose not to be in a relationship with him or ask him for anything. They can walk away at any time and feel as though they owe him nothing.
The father hopes to remain connected by demonstrating genuine love for them, by extending ongoing invitations to celebrate being in each other’s presence, through natural regular payoffs in reciprocity and continuous bestowal of thoughtful gifts.
I hope you now recognize the many many parallels between what Jesus tried to demonstrate through this parable. How he portrayed those listening as siblings at odds with each other who were too quick to judge each other’s behavior and to determine the other’s eligibility to receive God’s attention, time or favor, who felt uniquely privileged or rightfully entitled and believed there was not enough to go around.
The younger son squandered money; the elder withheld love. The father squandered love and withheld nothing except the exact time at which he felt it appropriate to deliver his greatest gifts, the gifts which await every sinner who returns to the Father with a repentant heart. Those gifts are a hearty welcome home, an elegant ring, a noble robe, and a fine feast.
We have nothing to lose by telling our heavenly father how we feel. Whether we want something, feel embarrassed, angry, or disappointed, need affirmation, reassurance, or forgiveness, now is the time. He’s waiting with open arms, willing to run toward us as soon as we approach in person, through expressed words or emotion.
Tax collectors and sinners, Pharisees and scribes are a mixed representation of all God’s children. Tax collectors and sinners are those doing what they think is necessary to get by which may include helping themselves to a bit extra through dishonest means or circumventing relationships they should honor in favor of those that make them feel good.
Pharisees and scribes are those who follow every letter of the law or aim to transcribe the law without error. One is not seen as better and the other worse in Jesus’ or God the Father’s eyes even though each may see themselves that way. If you find yourself arguing with God or justifying expectations by saying, “I always,” or “I never,” “How come,” or “Why haven’t you,” you fit right in and are a legitimate member of the family known as Saints and Sinners, while also being part of what the church calls The Priesthood of all Believers.
Let us pray. Jesus you are really something and also really good at helping us to identify ourselves in many characters of the Bible including those found in your parables. We hate to admit our shortcomings, but are relieved to be reminded that you love us no matter what, whether we do you proud or not, realize how good we have it or not, squander or withhold, live lavishly or in squalor.
You claim us as yours: mature or not, responsible or not. We are loved equally though not exactly in the same ways according to your grace and generosity. We pray in Jesus’ name for rewards unearned and mercy undeserved while awaiting joyous celebration and that face-to-face reunion on a day of your choosing. In your holy name we pray, Amen.