What's the Big Hurry?

We've read the story of the Prodigal Son many times, beginning way back in Sunday School. Most of us tend to focus on the loving father, symbolizing God, waiting for and running down the road to greet his long lost son, symbolizing all who have turned back to God. Rebellion, repentance, and restoration -- it's a story as comfortable to us as an old pair of slippers. But I wonder, what about the end of this parable? As I read this story today, I found my attention drawn to the angry, resentful older brother.

Starting in Luke 15:25, the older brother comes home after a day of working in the fields. He arrives at a celebration being thrown on the occasion of his brother's safe return. There is music, dancing, and a feast for the young man now found in a fine robe, with a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet - symbolizing honor, authority and freedom. The older brother, full of resentment that he has "towed the line" his entire life and supposedly never received even the smallest bit of appreciation, refuses to go to the party. (He reminds me of Jonah, with both of them furious over God's compassion on those seeking mercy.)

I think the older brother was asking himself, like many people I have known, so what's the benefit of of doing the right thing now, if I can just repent and do the right thing later? Since the father forgave the prodigal son after all he had done and Jesus forgave the criminal crucified on the cross next to him, then what's the big hurry?

A lot of people live as though they have all the time in the world to spiritually get their act together. What people don't want to be reminded of, as Pastor Paul spoke of earlier this year, is that the end is near. Or at least, it might be near. We do not know the day or the hour of Jesus' return and we don't know how much time we have on this earth.

Many prodigals think they have plenty of time to come home, and they might even consider the older brother in this parable to be a fool for missing some 'fun' before returning to get the robe and the ring and the sandals. Maybe we haven't told the prodigals we know that the blessings of life with Jesus begin here and now, and that just as the young brother lost his inheritance in his years of rebellion, so the prodigals lose the 'riches' that God wants to give them starting today. And most delicate of all, maybe we've not told them that they may not have as much time as they think.

The Father is scanning the horizon, wanting all of us to come home before it is too late. There is a big party planned -- both for the ones who have just arrived and for the ones who have been there all along -- with both present and future blessings available for all.