Luke 15:1-32
“Enough Love to Go Around”

      Even in a country as diverse as ours, there are some things that I believe almost all families share.  Somewhere in every family there is someone who struggles with diseases like cancer and/or alcoholism.  And I think that every family wrestles with the question, “What is fair?”  Young children and adult children wonder if each one is treated equally, if the love is being distributed evenly, and maybe especially, if the money is being divided fairly.  That nagging worry gets raised – am I getting my fair share?

      Part of this Sabbath’s scripture reading addresses this issue.  Instead of labeling this familiar story after one son and not the other – that would not be fair – I believe that we might entitle it “the loving father” since it is the actions of the father that are pivotal.
     
      This week Luke provides some important clues even before the story begins.  Jesus is talking with “men and women of doubtful reputation,” an activity that the faithful, hard-working religious scholars find offensive.
     
      Even before Jesus tells his story, he is living the story.  Jesus is giving attention to people who have, to be charitable, made some poor life choices.  The tax collectors earn their living by supplying the occupying government with funds obtained, at a profit, from their neighbors.  The sinners, people who have been ejected from the synagogue because of immoral actions, are sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to his words.   The Pharisees have a legitimate complaint against these scoundrels and their outrage is tangible. 
     
      Jesus is embodying the “loving father” story in his own life.  Just as the older son gets angry at the father’s actions, the Pharisees are furious with Jesus.  They pose excellent questions: How can you forgive so easily?  How can you welcome these sinners?  Why are you so willing to give them your time, your attention, or your love?  How is that fair?
     
      Now we know that Jesus’ parable clearly holds good news for the younger son.  After his sinful actions have alienated him from both friends and society, he is unsure that he can return home again.  Yet when the younger son approaches his father, he is immediately and completely forgiven; when he arrives home, he is warmly welcomed.
     
      We can appreciate this good news in our own lives.  At those times when we wonder if we have done the unforgivable, or if we have wandered too far from God’s will, or if we have knowingly broken God’s commandments, here is assurance for us.  When we repent and turn again to God, God is ready to welcome us home.  There is enough love to go around, even for sinners.
     
      Most of us also can understand the father’s joy.  Relationships are complicated.  The ones we love can cause us intense anguish.  Tensions can mount to almost unbearable levels.  Yet hurt and anger can dwell side by side with love.  I love you, but I do not like what you are doing.
     
      If a teenager breaks curfew but arrives home safely, a whirlwind of emotions takes place.  I am so angry with you – and I can’t stop hugging you.  I am furious at what you did, but I am so glad that you are in my arms again.  I feared the worst and instead discover that you are safe.  Now we can begin again.  There is enough love to go around.  It blossoms in the father and provides new life for the younger son.
     
      Now what do we think about the older son?  His anger radiates off the pages of this story.  Nothing about this seems fair.  He is underappreciated and overworked.  Like countless church volunteers, he is convinced that no one notices or values his efforts.  The harm that the younger son has done cannot be reversed.  His portion of the family farm has been squandered away; that is a real loss.  The older son is justifiably angry.
     
      To compound the matter, the older son believes additional harm is done when the younger son receives the gift of forgiveness.  He believes that this gift deprives him of something.  The older son fails to see that there is enough love to go around.
     
      The older son hasn’t lost his share of the property, he hasn’t lost his money, and he has not lost his father’s love.  He still has everything that he started with at the beginning of the story.  He views his father’s gift of forgiveness with human eyes, believing that when a gift is offered to one, it must mean that less will be available to another.  The father, however, dips into that vast source of unlimited grace that defines a parent’s love.  In the same way that there is not less love for the first child when a second child is born, there is no limit to the amount of compassion and forgiveness available to both sons.  There is more than enough love to go around.
     
      We know that, as Christians, we are called to forgive and welcome.  However, we might not be willing to go to the same lengths as the father.  We might prepare a sandwich for the returning brother, but would be unlikely to kill the fatted calf.  We might grudgingly pass along some hand-me-down clothes, but hold back on a brand new robe.
     
      The father’s forgiveness seems too fast.  The older son reflects our hesitation; we might not be able to move as quickly as the father.  Forgiveness takes time for the human heart.  God, on the other hand, is capable of completed and immediate reconciliation.  We will read about the ministry of reconciliation from Paul’s perspective, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, in a few moments.
     
      Notice that the older son is not being asked to do the same.  The father is offering that forgiveness.  That is his gift to the younger son.  The father turns to the older son and assures him of his love.  Celebrating the younger brother takes nothing away from the older one.  The father is able to love both sons and provide what each one needs in the moment.
     
      This is where the story ends.  Does the younger son stay on the straight and narrow?  Is the older son ever able to forgive?  We do not know.  But we do know that the loving father gives both children exactly what they need in the moment.  It is truly good news that there is enough love to go around.
     
      PRAYER:  We arise and come before you, our Creator, our heavenly Parent, you who know us best.  We confess that we have sinned against heaven and before you.  We are no longer worthy to be called your children.  We would turn way, ashamed, except that we hear your assurance of welcome and forgiveness.  God of renewal, God of second chances, we gratefully receive your acceptance; because we were lost, and now are found by your unwavering love.  We were dead, and now stand resurrected by your life-giving grace.  With much gratitude, we offer our thanks and dedicate ourselves to serving you in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.