"Come and Celebrate!" - Luke 15:11-32; Psalm 113
Come and Celebrate!
Luke 15:11-32, Psalm 113
Kate Fiedler
Whether or not you are an Anglophile, the pageantry and communal grief over Queen Elizabeth’s death has held the attention of people all over the world. Tomorrow morning people the across the globe will observe her funeral service. As the Queen is honored for her service, her life is not the only topic for the spotlight. Woven behind the statements and the public appearances, the family dynamics of the royal family have provided another venue for curiosity and commentary. There are stories told about the Queen’s four children and their changing roles after her death. And then there’s Prince William and Harry who are reunited with their wives, and additional questions stir about their relationship. There is plenty of drama—past, present, and future—in this royal family.
Of course, you don’t have to be a member of the royal family to be familiar with complicated family dynamics. We experience our own family dynamics too. You may have an adult child who makes choices you don’t understand, a sibling who is often defensive, or a parent who practices favoritism. We carry our own tenderness with stories of messy family dynamics. Our hearts are wounded due to estrangement, differences, and judgement. And the families in scripture are no different. From the first set of brothers—Abel and Cain, to Isaac and Ishmael, to Esau and Jacob, to King David’s children, to sisters Martha and Mary who welcome Jesus—we learn more about God’s mercy and love through the family dynamics in the Bible. Today’s story is familiar. It’s often known as “The Prodigal Son,” but I hope you will listen with fresh ears. Jesus uses this story to teach the Pharisees and the scribes about God’s welcome, and we are still learning today. Starting with verse 11, listen to this third story in a series from Luke, chapter 15:
Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Let’s take a step back and remember Jesus told this story after he overheard the Pharisees and scribes complaining that he was spending time with the wrong people. The religious leaders were concerned that Jesus was eating with tax collectors and sinners. Hearing their grumbling, Jesus tells three stories: one about a shepherd who goes after one lost sheep in a flock of 100, and returns with the sheep rejoicing; one about a woman who searches her house for one lost silver coin, and celebrates with friends when she finds it, and then Jesus concludes with this story, a story of two lost sons, and a father who rejoices and celebrates when one returns home. The concern in all three stories is that someone or something has been lost. While the Pharisees, scribes, and disciples are hearing these parables, Jesus emphasizes the joy in heaven and the joy among God’s angels when the lost are found, when a sinner repents. All three stories conclude with rejoicing and celebration that the lost have been found and all are reunited. The final verse in God’s love song is joyful and jubilant. Jesus tells three stories that end with a party. When we consider how our journey of faith carries us through the peaks and valleys of life, it is good to remember that with God’s love, there is joy at the finale.
Yet, this story of the father with the two sons, illustrates the complexity of family dynamics and the reality that we are not always ready to celebrate. This story ends with the older son, waiting outside the party, we’ll call him Lawrence, not yet ready to join in celebrating his brother’s return, let’s call him Trip. We can relate to Lawrence’s reluctance to join in celebrating Trip who asked for his inheritance and then spent it all. We can understand why Lawrence is frustrated that his brother is getting the royal treatment after he left to party, while Lawrence stayed home working. It’s not fair. It’s not what Lawrence was expecting. It’s not what the Pharisees or scribes were expecting. It may not be what we were expecting. But God’s love isn’t contained by our expectations. The father’s love overflows more than either son can imagine. God’s love isn’t fair. God’s love is revolutionary. So much so, God’s love is still changing lives, uniting families in conflict, and working towards peace. God’s love is beyond our expectations, whether we can relate to the younger brother or the older brother. God’s love is welcoming us in to join the celebration.
Here's the key: the father’s love is present for both sons, and he is willing to risk looking foolish. The father is willing to risk running to his younger son—a social faux paus for men of means at that time—to wrap Trip with welcome and affection while his son is still on the road back. The father meets his eldest son with compassion and understanding, hoping Lawrence will celebrate that their family is reunited, too. Both sons are surprised by the extravagance of their father’s love; he goes above and beyond what they expect. Both sons have different expectations for what life together looks like; yet, it’s the father’s love that sets the tone. God’s love is that extravagant. God’s love still surprises us. God’s love may push us beyond our comfort zone to change our expectations.
We are here today, praying for God’s love to set the tone for how we live, work, play, and celebrate with our neighbors. So come and celebrate who God is—our God is counter-cultural; a God who welcomes the lost and the wandering, and those who have made mistakes. Come and celebrate that Christ’s church is seeking and welcoming the lost. No matter if we understand this story through the eyes of the faithful, eldest son, or the wild, adventurous younger son, or the dutiful, faithful Pharisees—we are all invited to join in the celebration that Jesus describes in this story. We recognize that the dynamics may get complicated and messy, but the joy of God’s kin-dom cannot be suppressed. The surprising, ironic, patient, generous God is waiting and ready for you and me to come home. God is ready to celebrate anytime we focus our lives on faithfully following the God of radical love. Jesus invites you to come and celebrate, come and bask in the joy of God’s love. There’s joy waiting for you.