Scripture/Sermon of the Day

11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up 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 like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 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. 21 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.’ 22 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. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 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. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father[d] said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 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.’ ”

I. There were two incidents that happened recently in our country that were connected to each other. It involved two men who could have passed for brothers. Both said they follow and admire Jesus. The younger one was a right-wing political activist who was murdered and the older one is a comedian who had his show cancelled. Both claim to be sons of the same father. They remind me of our parable today.

II. We’ve all probably heard this story of Jesus since we were children. Jesus told this story because the religious and legal authorities complained to him about the sorts of people he hangs out with. They were “grumbling”: “That guy Jesus sure hangs out with all kinds of bad people.” Jesus heard them. They made a good point. If someone is so “holy” — why do they spend time with “bad” people?

My mother and father tried to raise me to be a good person. They said if I wanted to be good — I had to be with people who followed the rules, who got good grades at school, and who listened to their parents. Sometimes I’d bring someone home that didn’t have these qualities — and mom and dad might say, “That friend of yours lies,” — or, “he has bad manners” — or, “we heard him swearing” — so you need to stop seeing him because WE DON’T WANT YOU TO BE LIKE THAT.”

III. Here’s something kind of funny — because my mother loves Jesus and often took me and my sister to church. Did mom realize that she sounded more like the Pharisees than Jesus? I don’t think she saw that. I wish she were alive now because if she was, I’d call her tonight and tell her. You know what I loved about my mother? I’d say, “Mom — you know when you’d tell me not to go around with “bad” people? That’s what Jesus’ enemies told him! Sometimes you’d talk like the people who killed Jesus!” And then mom might have an uncomfortable smile — and say, “Well — I never thought about it that way.” (I was always trying to get a reaction out of her — but she usually didn’t take the bait.)

His older brother though was always good and responsible. He followed the rules, obeyed the laws, saved his money and worked hard. So he couldn’t understand why his father rewarded his younger, useless, irresponsible, living-in-sin brother with more money and fine clothing, and expensive jewelry, and a huge, expensive party with the whole town invited. While he — the good one — got no recognition, no thank you, no reward.

V. Jimmy Kimmel and Charlie Kirk, who have been in the news, remind me of these two brothers. And they were as different as the ones in Jesus’ parable. The younger one, Charlie, was murdered on September 10th. That same day, Jimmy sent an Instagram to Charlie’s family and expressed his sorrow and pain and said he is praying for them. He went on make comments about the murder on his show that evening — which were misinterpreted and caused the show to be suspended.

VII. Our Bible tells us that God is always on the side of love. In Jesus’ story — the father isn’t interested in which son is good and which sinned — isn’t interested their work-ethic or their politics. The father just wants each son to know that the father loves him, always, and no matter what. The only thing the father does in Jesus parable is to try to get the older son to let go of the anger and come to the party. The father wants all of us to love each other, no matter what our differences are. God wants us to let go of our anger and embrace love and forgiveness. That’s what God wants from each of us, and for our country. Stop fighting, stop blaming, stop finger-pointing — stop the anger and bitterness. And replace all the emotional poison we carry with compassion. And come to the Father’s party. WE'RE ALL INVITED