THE PRODIGAL CITY - PART IV: A TALE OF TWO SONS

The story of the Prodigal Son captivates us so powerfully because of the interwoven themes of righteousness, sin, redemption and restoration, the same themes that have empowered art, literature, music and movies throughout the ages. The musical notes of sin and redemption are etched deeply on the human soul and resonate powerfully whenever these chords are played. It could be said that this theme is the “melody” of humanity.

We are often so captivated by these themes that we forget that there was another son in the story. In fact, Jesus’ purpose in presenting this parable had more to do with the second son than with the prodigal. The second son is a picture of the religious establishment of the day, called the Pharisees. They were the conservative evangelicals of their time, who knew the Book but sadly, had forgotten the Author of the Book. Their experience of the Father was driven by duty rather than delight and they gradually devolved into resentful religious ritualists who forgot why they were serving the Father in the first place. The older brother in our story, had lost sight of the Father’s love and became resentful and burnt out in his sacrificial service. When the younger son returned, he was filled with anger because of the Father’s mercy and grace.

RESENTMENT OR RESIGNATION?
If San Francisco is a Prodigal City then the Church has been cast in the role of the resentful older brother. Throughout the years, I have encountered the animosity of the Body of Christ toward our city in a myriad of ways. I have received scores of prophetic curses over this “God forsaken” region, warning us to flee from the wrath of God, saying things like, “If God doesn’t destroy San Francisco, He will have to apologize to Sodom.” Yet, how many have fasted, prayed and wept for the return of this prodigal city?

Some believers, on the other hand, not wishing to appear “religious” have adopted a posture of “resignation” rather than “resentment”. Unfortunately, when people resign themselves to a sub-standard status quo, they always abdicate their responsibility to make a difference in the world. Resignation leads to apathy and self-centeredness. Survival becomes the highest goal of life and we find ourselves just as lost as the Prodigal Son.

This parable is really the story of two sons and three fathers. The first father is the one perceived by the Younger son. The second father was the one perceived by the older son. The REAL FATHER is the one that is revealed in his mercy for the sinful son and his gracious love for the dutiful son. God wants to heal the Church of RESENTMENT on the one hand and RESIGNATION on the other and bring us into a season of REVIVAL. In order for this to happen we “older sons” must align ourselves fully with the Father’s heart and assume the Father’s role in pursuing the prodigals and welcoming them back into the Father’s House.