What love is this?

I have been reflecting on two passages in the Book of Luke recently. I would like to share some reflections from one of these passages with you today. First the passage:

And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in 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 into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise 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 as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And 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 servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. "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. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
(Luke 15:11-32)

In this passage there are three central characters. It is often said that we are moving toward being one of these characters at any point in our lives. I am not sure how true that is but I do see that there would be some great improvement in my general character if I emulated the father more.

The common belief about this parable is that the father represents God the Father. Why is it that so many of us are more like the other brother? For ourselves we want mercy, but for others we desire nothing but justice. We are quick to point out our brother’s flaws and slow to notice the mercy we have already been given and the feast and joy that is available to us. We resent those that are not like “us” and are quick to label them as lost. Yet, we remain ungrateful for the treasure we already have and do not even take the time to enjoy it.

There is a passage in scripture that has often given me pause for I do not know how I can do what it says. It is during the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus tells us to “be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” I have often thought that this means that I must “do” more. I need to pray more, read more, study more, etc. I have to follow the Law better, I need to witness better, and I need to give more. But maybe I have been reading this verse wrong and out of context, after all Paul tells us “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations(?)”(Col 2:20)


Let me give you the preceding verse in Matthew so you will have the general context of being perfect:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matthew 5:43-48)

When I look at this passage after reading the parable of the prodigal son, it reads a little different. Maybe I have been going about this wrong. Maybe instead of beating my brother down, I should be helping him up. Of course true love for my brother cannot allow me to look the other way while he steps in front of a truck, but maybe it would be better if I took the time to attempt to pull him back from the traffic. After all- no greater love has a man than this, that he be willing to lay down his life for his friends.