Prodigal Father : Lavish Son Part II

Stories contain conflicts, whether they are obvious or not. Characters have conflicts with their environment, society and themselves. The lavish young man faced a conflict with society, namely friends. His money was gone; and so were his friends. Did they not remember the fun times and his kindness? When it comes to friends, some parents warn their children.

Know your gravediggers and your pallbearers.

This advice is not difficult to decode. Some will put you down; and some will lift you up! Of course this saying may be more profound; but keep the superficial meaning in mind.

Besides being deserted by friends, there was a famine.Think recession. Food is scarce; jobs are difficult to find. Of all the people this man socialized with, only one offered him assistance.A famine is a natural disaster that affects the environment. No rain occurs and everything is dry. But a citizen gave him a job caring for pigs. For this wasteful youth to accept such a job speaks of his desperation.He experienced an internal conflict with spiritual implications.

At home, his father kept animals; but there were no pigs. According to Jewish dietary laws, pigs were forbidden as food. In the story of the demoniac who had a legion of demons, the devils asked to enter the swine. The people were not supposed to have any swine! After the demons went into the swine herd and they drowned, the people asked Jesus to leave the area. He had pointed out their indiscretion. Why were they keeping animals they did not eat? Why were they selling the flesh to their neighbours? Christians display their hypocrisy and wisdom in many ways.

One person who believes in gambling and does it daily won some money and wanted to know if it was acceptable to give some of it to God via the church. Why not? Wine and Spirit merchants give to God; and many upright Christian benefactors give generous gifts to others and God because of taxes. They do not want the government to get what can be used to help less fortunate individuals. Such people are classified, according to this person, as 'good hypocrites'. Which pastor or organization questions the source of the tithe, offering or other gifts? Do they care if the giver is a gangster? How does God look at such a situation? What would Jesus do?

Jesus allowed this young man to go to the pig pen in order to avoid repeated trips! Something has to be used to trigger an appropriate response to bring us to our senses. My third near drowning experience occurred in a college swimming pool. Male and female lifeguards were present; and they had a variety of lifesaving equipment. As a Guider, I received lifesaving training. All I needed during the experience was for someone to throw a lifeline or a flotation board. But nobody lifted a finger to help me. A friend told me afterwards that they were waiting for me to drown so that they could rescuscitate me!

Since that experience I have not been in a pool. However, the spiritual implications have impacted my life as a professional and Christian. A few weeks after the incident, God used a prayer partner to test my determination. Evangelism in New York city and state. Although I said no adamantly, I spent the summer as a part of a youth evangelistic team. My life has never been the same since that experience! Christians sing songs like:

Throw out the lifeline

Upon the dark waves

or

Rescue the perishing

Care for the dying

Snatch them in pity...

Are these mere words? Or are they meaningful enough to impact and change our lives?

Unless you are converted, you will all likewise perish.

The boy in the pig pen who was willing to eat pig food gladly had to win the conversion conflict. He had been in the home with his father; but the allurement of the world had captured his heart. The CTR provides a turning point!

Choice provokes the first step in the journey of a lifetime! The lavish wasteful boy came to realize that the extravagant ,endless loving father had servants who enjoyed  healthful meals each day.Father took care of their health needs. Since they were hired servants, they received a salary. Their financial needs were met. Most of all, the servants must have been contented as none of them had decided to leave the employ of the father. Thus, their emotional needs were satisfied daily.But, here he  was caring for pigs and starving.

Does God want people to starve? Answer that question by thinking about the available resources. Abundant Father has place within each seed the potential for a tree or vine that when planted in good soil will produce a bountiful harvest. What does man do? He grows crops and then receives money so he can discard them! Some food are used for animal fodder. yet, some individuals question the providence of God. They need to question the inhumanity of man! Is God to blame if man mismanages His resources? Economics- money- answers all things or a lot of questions.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

One reason why Jesus had to solve the situation with the adulterous woman by writing in the dust is because many people deceive themselves and think they have no sins. Sometimes they measure the size of sin or give it a colour. Sin is breaking the laws of God; and everyone is guilty!Pharisees still exist in many congregrations today. One experience related by a relative of a deceased individual highlighted this fact.

During a service, the pastor made an altar call and only one individual responded though the congregration was tightly seated. By Tuesday night, the young respondent, barely twenty, was dead from a heart attack! At her memorial service, the pastor made an appeal again to an overflowing church. This time, family and friends recognized their condition and responded to the call. God wants to reason with everyone and cleanse them from every stain of sin. 

Going home is difficult enough. Acceptance is another matter. That this lavish, young, wasteful boy was loved becomes obvious because of the extravagant love of the father. Examine the events that follows the decision to return home. The father is waiting to receive him. In fact, in the distance the father sees and recognizes his son. This is no happenstance meeting. Is the lad from the pig pen dressed in fine clothes , smelling fresh and clean? What does it matter to this loving father? His son is back home after a long absence! Yes, the son is sorry for leaving home. His sins are forgiven - cleansed; and they will be remembered no more.

Having been greetied with a welcome kiss, the son is restored to the family. It is time to party! Kill the fattest calf and get ready to celebrateI

If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away...

Lavish son is wearing the robe of righteousness; and he has been brought out of darkness to walk in the marvelous light of God.This young man has been snatched like a burning brand from the fire! Rescued!

An experience just outside Henderson in the Carolinas helps me to appreciate the celebration. I boarded the third Greyhound bus.Two of them had broken down previously; but I looked forward to arriving in New York city shortly after 8:00a.m .A vacant seat was two rows behind the driver so I sat in one of them. Before I could doze properly, I was awakened to pray. Pray? I had not had a chance to sleep good yet! Although I wanted to sleep, the urge to pray dominated and I obeyed it. About ten minutes after I began praying, I realized we were in trouble. The driver was struggling with the wheel. Finally, the bus came to a halt. Lights were flashing everywhere; and eventually the driver stepped outside.

The bus had broken down again! This time the left rear axle had been severed and a car had received damage. I noticed that we had stopped short of some railroad tracks; but nobody seemed to know if they were still in use. What someone mentioned is that we should thank God the accident had not happened while we were crossing the Potamac River! That thought was scary!

Every time I think of Jesus

I just want to shout!

Every time I think about Jesus

Praises fill my mouth!

I thank Him for the gift of love

And all the blessings from above.

Every time I think of Jesus

I just want to shout!

Some people have to shout and dance around. King David danced so much he stepped out of his outer garment. This embarrassed Michal, his wife; but he was not dancing for her! David was worshipping God! Are the people of the world the only ones who should have celebrations and fun?

The disabled Greyhound bus provided many opportunities for ministry; and it is no secret that on board were some Jonahs and lavish sons and daughters who were returning home literally after many years. Some elder brothers and sisters might have been on the bus; but the Father was there to greet each son or daughter. The early morning hours in the Carolinas waiting for another Greyhound bus to take us to New York city are memorable ones.

The bus arrived at the 8th Avenue terminal shortly after 5:00 p.m. in peak traffic. My older brother admonished me not to speak to anyone; and if necessary,play dumb and deaf!The area teemed with those who had left home for the far country; and their pig pen was a life of ill-repute from which some may never escape. When my brother pulled to the curb, I was relieved and happy to escape from the 'far country'.

The story has a happy ending except that the elder brother does not think that his younger brother deserves a party- such a grand celebration. All his life the elder brother had lived by the rules and nobody had honoured him. Did he have a right to feel that way? Think for a moment. Have you ever been feted - birthday,engagement, wedding shower, baby shower, anniversary, no occasion? Then you do not understand fully the reason for the emotions of the elder brother. Some people have never attended a party that was given in their honour.

The elder brother experienced rejection while the younger brother - who had gone astray - was being honoured and accepted for coming back home! Does this not remind you of the juicy headlines that tell of infidelity and other vices? Though Jesus did not extend the story and comment on the elder brother,some people ignore his feelings and consider him as jealous or a 'wet sponge'.But his emotions are valid. Maybe someday someone will step into his shoes and tell the story of this elder brother. Until then, come on and celebrate!