“Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered”

As the father of two boys, I find particular interest in the parable Jesus told about a father and his two sons.  The purpose of the story found in Matthew 21:28-32 is to show that the ultimate response of Jerusalem’s street people — tax collectors and prostitutes — proved that they were “ahead” of the chief priests and the elders of the people (v. 23) when it came to entering the kingdom of God.  Not exactly currying religious or political favor!  As with my boys many times, these two sons had different responses after their father asked them to work in the vineyard.  The first said no but later changed his mind and went.  The second said yes but never went.  The one who obeyed was the one who ultimately went.  This was so simple that even the leaders got it.  But they never got it personally.  They were full of talk and self-righteous action, but no obedience.  They never got to God’s “vineyard”; they never went or obeyed.

Jesus told a second, longer parable about another father and his two boys, found in Luke 15.  The parable about the “prodigal son” is among the best known of his stories.  And since Hebrews 5:8 says Jesus was a son who learned obedience, the contrast and comparison between these two sons is revealing.

The prodigal (which simply means “wasteful”) begins the story by demanding his share of the father’s inheritance so he could spend it on selfish interests.  In contrast, Jesus was willing to die (Hebrews 9:15-17) to share the inheritance of his Father with others.  The prodigal “got together all he had”, which means he sold it off at rock bottom prices, disrespecting both it’s value and purpose.  Jesus knew the value of his Father’s inheritance and kept it for its intended use.  Once he got his portion, the prodigal moved to “a distant country”.  Jesus couldn’t have gotten farther away from heaven than by coming to earth.  Once he was the foreigner in the new land, the prodigal “squandered his wealth in wild living”.  But Jesus lived without his Father’s wealth, laying aside his glory, and “made himself as nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7).  The first son was foolish, seeking worldly pleasures and delights; the second was obedient, being accused of embracing this world (Mark 2:15-16, Luke 15:2), but shunned its glory and sought the delight of his Father.

Living up to his description, the prodigal spent his limited possessions in a fairly short time.  On the contrary, Jesus spent his entire life knowing the eternal blessings it would bring forever.  After the goods were gone, the prodigal suddenly found himself in a state of need.  Jesus, too, found himself in the rare position of being alone when he crossed the line in the garden.  The prodigal “hired himself out to a citizen of that country”.  But Jesus was on a solo mission and could turn to no one for help or support. Both sons found that “no one would give [them] anything” to help them in their points of need.  The prodigal found himself submitting to a local farmer instead of his father.  But Jesus was always submitted to his father knowing he could submit to no other.  The prodigal “came to his senses” and decided to return to his father to save himself.  Jesus knew the only way to return to his father was to deny himself and die.

After a challenging trip the prodigal returned to his father, ending the distance between them.  After a grueling struggle against sin, Jesus was separated from his Father (Matthew 27:46) before returning home.  The prodigal received compassion from his father when he returned.  Jesus received punishment from his father (Isaiah 53:8-10a) to return to heaven.  The prodigal confessed he was “no longer worthy to be called [his] son”.  However, the Father pronounced Jesus as his Son because of his resurrection (Acts 13:32-35).  The prodigal’s father had compassion and blessings — the best robe, the ring and sandals — for his son.  Jesus’ Father had a reward — a name above every name, every knee bowing, every tongue confessing his lordship — for his Son (Philippians 2:9-11).  The prodigal’s father threw a party for the safe return of his son.  Many guests were present for the celebration.  However, the Heavenly Father’s celebration is not only for the Son but also the guests who trust him and find themselves co-heirs with him (Romans 8:17).  Finally, the prodigal won nothing with his father’s inheritance and almost lost everything.  Jesus, on the other hand, won everything that could be won and lost nothing (John 6:39).

Amazing the difference between the prodigal and the obedient Son.  Aren’t you glad he obeyed?

Do you reflect your sonship in Christ (Galatians 3:26) each and every day?