One of my favourite parables of Jesus’ is the Parable of the Prodigal Son. You can find it in Luke 15.
Luke 15:11–32 (ESV)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 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. 13 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. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “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! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 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. 21 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.’ 22 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. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 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.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 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. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”
The parable of the prodigal son is a parable with so many lessons in it. If you want a lesson on the dangers of largesse, it’s there. If you want a lesson on coming to your senses, it’s there. A lesson on anger, it’s there. Unforgiveness, it’s there. Love, freedom of choice, it’s there. If you want a lesson on forgiveness, it’s there. If you want a lesson on family, it’s there. Salvation, it’s there.
I feel this parable has much to teach us during this Covid-19 crisis. First of all, in the parable, there’s a lesson on taking things for granted. The younger son had been living under the roof of his father all his life. Everything was taken care of for him. Food, clothing and shelter. But he decided to do what he felt like doing. He wasn’t aware that all the things he took for granted do not fall from the sky. Somebody has to provide it.
In our current situation, there might have been those of us who have taken things for granted. Our jobs, our freedom to go anywhere we wanted before the Circuit Breaker took it away. Like the younger son, we were taken aback that things could actually run out of stock in Singapore, like instant noodles, vegetables from Malaysia, and, toilet paper.
However, we are grateful to God for providing for us in many ways. Citizens of Singapore received financial help and so did employers. While we still have to wear masks whenever we step out of our homes, we can now go to the shopping mall and eat at food courts, cafes and restaurants. We thank God that he is taking care of us. We learn to be grateful to God, even for the small things in life, and not take what we have for granted.
Another important lesson the parable of the prodigal son teaches us is about family, forgiveness and unforgiveness. During this time, many of us are stuck at home a lot. This means extended contact with our household.
There are those of us who struggle with relating to our household. Perhaps our relationships were already stifling and uncomfortable, even before Circuit Breaker. In this story, the father is generous to a fault, perhaps even indulgent. The younger son is reckless and irresponsible. The older son is loyal and lives strictly by the book. I am sure that many of us will be able to see these traits in our own family.
The point is that anybody can make a mistake. Some make multiple repeated mistakes. Some mistakes are big mistakes. This parable teaches us that forgiveness must be part of the family’s DNA.
The father saw the younger son returning from far off, and ran to, not walked, not waited for, his son. The younger son admitted his fault. The father forgave and restored him. The older son was unhappy. But the father reminded him this was his brother, not just the father’s son. The father emphasised forgiveness and restoration.
Perhaps some of us have been brusque or even rude to our family members during Circuit Breaker. It is time to take a leaf out of the younger son’s book, to admit one’s wrong and seek forgiveness. Perhaps some of us have been hurt by others in our family. It is time to follow the example of the father in the parable and forgive, just as God forgives us, like we pray in the Lord’s prayer. Perhaps some of us hold a grudge against a family member, like the older brother in the parable. Let us remember that that family is the most important social grouping we have. We are related by blood. Let us learn to show love, and to forgive.
Dear Lord, I thank you for your great love for me. I thank you that you are the generous Father who is ever willing to forgive and receive me. I confess my sin and desire to be restored to you. I forgive my family members who may have hurt me. I pray that you help us to reconcile and live in peace with one another, sharing the love of family. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Rev David Gwee