An Alternate Version of the Prodigal Son
David Maxson
04/16/18
- Daily Devotions
Title: An Alternate Version of the Prodigal Son
Reading for April 16: 1 Kings 19-20
Weekly reading for April 15-21: Luke 15-19
"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in."
Luke 15:25-28
Did you know there is a Buddhist version of the prodigal son? A young man ran away from his father. His father searched for him but couldn't find him.
Then, by chance, the son came to his father's house. The son was poor and didn't recognize his father because his father had become extremely powerful and wealthy.
But the father recognized his son. However, he did not reveal to him or to anyone else that he was his son. Rather, he made him a servant and for the next twenty years the son faithfully served his father.
At the end of the father's life he revealed himself to his son and turned over all of his wealth to him.
The contrast between these two versions of the prodigal is obvious. In the Buddhist version forgiveness is earned. In Jesus' parable it is freely given. Indeed, this is the point of the story. The parable is not about the prodigal, but about the attitude of the older brother. The older brother felt an injustice had been done and he was angry. His anger in the story was not directed primarily at his brother, but at his father who had shown mercy. What his father did was, in his mind, not right.
But it was right, and it is the only hope we have of forgiveness.
Thank you Father, for judging us not by what is fair and just, but by your immeasurable grace. |
|
| |
