What Do You Like / DisLike?

What Do You Like / DisLike?

After spending a week with the parable of the prodigal son it is clear Jesus wants our undivided attention and He wanted to leave us with a story that most every person on the planet could relate. Not sure how many people don’t have one, or all, of these characters in their own family. If you’re a human and on this planet, the story of the prodigal son should touch some aspect of your life.

The picture painted in this story is such a reflection that it is difficult to read without emotions running high. Having the ability to identify each character as a member of my family really drives the story home. This story could have very easily been written about me and my family. When reading, re-reading and re-reading over and over the story truly begins to come to life and the faces become as clear as a beautiful sun-filled meadow in mid summer. Is this what is liked or disliked?

The older brother becomes angry even though he has no idea if his younger is financially wiped out, wealthy beyond measure or what his actual status is other than “safe and sound”. The older brother knows his younger brother has returned, is unharmed but knows nothing more. The older brother has apparently been carrying around quiet the resentment for some time. We know this by his reaction when he learns of his brothers return. Being angry for angers sake is no way to live. Carrying resentments is akin to having a mouth full of gasoline awaiting the right time to spew it and blow fire across the land.

Luke 15 NKJV

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons.
12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.
13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,
19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;
24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’
28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.
29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.
30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.
32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”