Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Worst Party Pooper Ever
Jesus would often teach the crowds by telling parables (earthly stories with spiritual meanings). One of His most-familiar parables is about the prodigal son. However, there’s a great lesson regarding the other son too. In order to make the story simpler to write and read, let’s name the two brothers: Prodigal Pete is the younger brother and Selfish Sam is the elder.
So a father had two sons. Pete told his dad he wanted his share of the estate. So Dad distributed their inheritance between the two sons. Soon, Pete packed up and traveled to see the world. In no time he managed to waste all his inheritance in extravagant and reckless living. He was starving and homeless, so he begged a farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. Pete finally came to his senses and decided to go home, admit he was wrong, ask for forgiveness, and work as a hired servant since he didn’t believe he was worthy to be called a son after all he’d done. So when Pete arrived home, his dad was delighted, and immediately threw a “welcome home” party.
When Sam heard the celebration of music and dancing and was told that Pete had returned home, he became angry and refused to go in the house. Not an ounce of forgiveness could be found in Selfish Sam’s heart. He was raging inside with the fact that Pete had dragged the family name through the gutter. Sam was not happy or thankful that his little brother had rejoined the family.
Sam’s dad left the party to find out why he was acting so terrible. Sam responded, “Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him. And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been 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 begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’” (Luke 15:29-32 NASB).
It’s interesting to note that Sam wouldn’t even claim Pete as his brother. He referred to him as “this son of yours.” But Dad reminded him that “this brother of yours” is worth celebrating! Sam’s self-righteous legalistic spirit demanded that Pete be punished with no room for mercy. Sam chose to stew in the juices of anger and bitterness and be a party pooper. A life lived with no love, forgiveness, or mercy is actually no life at all. Sam even tried to steal the moment of celebration from his brother and make it all about him. He claimed he had never done anything wrong. Well, maybe so, but because of his selfish attitude, hateful actions, and unloving words he proved he was in the wrong now! Glen Campbell would tell him to try a little kindness.
When someone in your life makes a genuine change for the better, don’t throw a wet blanket on their celebration of restoration. Show forgiveness and mercy and top it off with a blanket of love.
The Key: Don’t be a party pooper!