Two Sons

"A man had two sons." (Luke 15:11)

So begins one of Jesus's best known parables, the Prodigal Son.

The man had two sons. Now, I had two sons, so I can relate. But anyone with kids can relate, I'm fairly sure. Because this dad had a good kid and a bad kid. That must have been tough. The bad one--the younger--asked for his inheritance before it was due. So his dad gave it to him. And he set off to start a business, give to the poor, and ... oh, wait, no. I like the biblical phrase: "He squandered his estate with loose living." And not at home. No. He ran off.

What was dad thinking? "What will become of my dear, sinful son?" "What did I do wrong?" "Is there hope for him?" We don't know. We do know that he was always looking for his precious boy. We know that because after the younger hit bottom and found himself coveting pig food and finally realizing, "I could eat better as my father's slave," as he went home to do just that, we read "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20). Dad was waiting and watching.

Dad didn't meet the younger with recriminations. "Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found." (Luke 15:22-24). Not, "'Bout time you came around," but "My dead son is back!"

How odd, then, his older brother's response. He was mad. "You never killed the fattened calf for me." The account gives no point at which the brother was glad, either that his brother was home or his father was happy.

So, a man had two sons. Which son was the biggest concern? The "bad son" who squandered his life or the "good son" who stayed home with dad? The "bad son" who realized his sin and repented or the "good son" ... who never did?

Sometimes we might miss it when our "good kids" are fine and we worry instead about the "bad ones". Because we never really know, do we? Better to pray for both and let God sort them out. Better to be the best parents we can and trust the Judge of all the earth to do what's right.