The younger son in Jesus’ “Prodigal Son” parable was an anonymous character, whose actions, words and thoughts revealed a great deal about him. This was also very true about the father and the older son who were cast in the Master’s story. We may not know their names, but their actions and words tell us a lot.
Let’s give them some names, though. I’m calling the father “Richard” because the name has a kingly connotation and this man was in fact a man of wealth and property. The older son I will call “Obie” which is short for Obadiah. He was big on obedience, after all, and the Hebrew meaning of Obadiah could be rendered “slave of Yahweh.”
What do we call the younger son? I think an appropriate name would be “Jack” because it makes you think of impetuous, quick, impatient things like jackrabbits or jackhammers or Jack-in-the-boxes that suddenly spring to life and can quickly change direction.
Throughout Christ’s parable, we can trace the changes that come over these three characters, at least, the changes in how their different qualities are made manifest by the events that take place. The demand that Jack makes of his dad, Richard’s surprisingly lenient response, Jack’s departure and reckless period of pleasure-seeking, the severe famine that strikes, Jack’s destitution and his resolution to return home, Richard’s even more surprising welcome of Jack, and then there is Obie’s refusal to join in the joyful celebration marking his brother’s return.
Jack is a changed person, indeed, from the time he leaves to the day Richard throws him his welcome-home feast. The ways he experienced those changes, both physical ways and psychological ways, can be traced in his words, thoughts and actions. Originally, at the time Jack made his outlandish demand for his inheritance, his outlook and attitude might be interpreted as follows:
“Life here at Richard’s place is pure boredom. I’m dying to be on my own. I’ll never measure up to Obie – to Mr. Perfect who never makes a mistake. I’m always in his shadow. And dad is still so healthy; it will be years and years yet before I’ll inherit and have the freedom to do my own thing. I feel like a prisoner here. If I just tell Richard how things are, hopefully he’ll be reasonable, give me my money, and be happy to get rid of me. Then I’ll be free to go somewhere I’ll be appreciated.”
There are quite a few areas in the previous description that were destined for change. And perhaps Richard wasn’t as blind to those necessities of change as might have appeared on the day he signed over one third of his wealth to his younger son. He might have signed the check with tears in his eyes, or simply trusting that Providence would teach Jack the life lessons he needed, lessons Richard had been unable to teach up to that point. But, from how things eventually DID change, we see some clear reflections of our Savior’s love in the way Richard reacted to Jack’s demand, and the way He acted at Jack's return.
Jack cashed Richard’s check, and before you knew it, was gone. He was out of the box, so to speak. He dashed, quick as a bunny, to Pleasure Town, U.S.A. And there, he threw himself the party he’d always dreamed of. An unending jubilee to celebrate his independence from the realm of King Richard. He surrounded himself with happy, exciting people who, like him, were drunk with pleasure. No annoying “Obie” types around to spoil the fun.
But inevitably, Jack ran out of jack. The money was depleted. The party was over. Food was scarce even when he could afford to buy some. None of his friends would help him and most of them were begging as well. Jack came face to face with himself for the first time. He found himself alone. Scraping for a living in a pigsty. His clothes had holes in them and his innards were grinding with hunger. Fate hadn’t been kind. Lady Luck was on a vacation. Life just wasn’t fair. He HAD to find SOMETHING to eat!
But there was no one around who could help him. No food pantries, no aid societies, no homeless shelters, no government welfare. He was far from home…
HOME. All of a sudden, it occurred to Jack that home was his only hope. But he could never return there. Leastways, not as a SON.
The hard facts of life had done a number on Jack’s mindset. At the beginning, all he wanted from Richard was money and freedom. “Just give me what’s mine, and let me go!” was his attitude and his desire. But now, all he knew he could expect from Richard was resentment and judgment. The money was all spent. The freedom was wasted and discarded. Now there was only emptiness, hunger, need. What he wanted now was mercy. Mercy and life. He had blown it. All he amounted to now was a pitiful charity case.
This is how drastically things can change.
“Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight. I am not worthy anymore to be your son. Make me like one of your hired servants. Just let me work for some food. Whatever you can spare, I’ll be thankful. I’ll never ask you for another thing!” Jack’s plea ran through his imagination constantly as he hitched and walked his way back from Pleasure Town – where life had drained him of his pride and arrogance. The disappointment on Richard’s face was there in his mind, haunting his dreams. His past failures and the shameful way he’d left his home must have gnawed at his soul.
Jack’s life was full of surprises. He was likely surprised that Richard had agreed so readily to give him his inheritance. He was surprised how easy the good life was when you could spend money freely. Then, he was surprised how quickly life turned against you when the funds ran low. Surprised at how low you could get when you were lost and alone with no one who knew or cared.
But the new, humble Jack was in for his greatest surprise of all. His begging speech was only just beginning when he found himself in a place he had never hoped to be.
Back in his father’s arms!
Finally, Jack was coming to know what REAL life was all about. I suppose he’d always known that Richard was a loving person – maybe even a “pushover” who would be generous with a demanding son. But life had taught Jack that you couldn’t always count on people’s generosity to get you by. Now, however, in the embrace of his weeping, joyful father, he found out what love truly is.
Love doesn’t expect you always to “toe the line” like Obie did, and obey out of pure obligation and the threat of punishment. Love doesn’t even INSIST that you love in return if you aren’t ready or willing. Love gives. And gives. And keeps on giving. And when love loses someone, it is willing to wait for the lost to return.
Then, when the lost one comes home, humble, broken, dirty and sore-footed, love calls for the feast to begin!
Richard’s household had never experienced a blowout like the one that welcomed Jack back home. And the only one who could threaten the happy father’s joy… was Obie. The firstborn of the house. The heir of the “lion’s share” of wealth. The one who still dreamed of freedom when Richard breathed his last, but was willing to wait things out.
Life had taken its toll on Obie as well. Life had taught him that it was cold, demanding and inflexible. You had to stay in your place, stake out your territory, learn and follow the rules, be the best, excel, meet everyone’s expectations, take no chances. You reap what you sow. End of story.
Life had taught Obie nothing, or at least very little, about Richard’s love. Richard’s heart. Richard’s hope for lost Jack. Obie’s only hope for Jack was that he would learn the lesson that sin brought inevitable and unremitting punishment. That Jack would get what he deserved!
Both sons began basically in the same place in relation to their dad. Both Jack and Obie saw Richard as a source of wealth and freedom. Things that would be theirs someday. Neither of them really loved their father. Jack finally learned what love truly is.
I wonder if Obie ever learned that lesson. Or have I?
