A Father, Two Sons, the Church, and Israel | Part One
Key Thought | The story of Scripture is not ultimately about sons competing for favor, but about a Father whose perfect love invites everyone home.
Key Scripture | “To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: ‘A man had two sons…’” —Luke 15:11–32 (NLT)
The story above is one that is beautiful and often taught. However, as we approach and celebrate Christmas this week, we are going to look at it through a slightly different lens. My hope is that it encourages you to dig into Scripture as we move toward a new year.
Jesus was brilliant in His teaching. So many, if not all, of His words carried multiple meanings and layers. He spoke directly to Jewish culture in His time, and yet thousands of years later, His words remain relevant and speak into our present moment as well.
This is why we love Scripture. Just when you think you have it figured out, you realize that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit exist outside of time. Their words speak into every moment of history. This truth unlocks peace in our lives: God is in control, and that control includes time itself.
Today, I want to begin with a simple but very important truth found in the opening line of this story, one I overlooked for years until the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and changed my perspective entirely:
“A man had two sons.”
It is not an oversimplification of Scripture to say that, in many ways, the story of the Bible is about a father who had two sons. Consider a few examples:
It is significant that Jesus begins the parable of the prodigal son by saying, “A father had two sons.” The context is clear. Jesus is speaking to Jewish Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious elite. He is speaking to “older sons,” those who had lived in the house yet had hardened their hearts toward the Father. That hardness of heart affected how they viewed the people Jesus had come to welcome into the family of God.
There is something in us that constantly looks for an enemy. When hatred rises in our hearts, it reveals that the same issues that plagued humanity generations ago are still very much alive today.
Everyone wants to be God’s favorite. We often build theology that justifies it. But this thinking minimizes the love of God and undermines trust in His perfect love.
As we begin this journey together, it would serve us well to remember that the story of the prodigal is not ultimately about either son. It is about the perfect love of a Father.
When we become so saturated in His love, that love begins to flow through us naturally, without filters of hate or bias.
The church has not replaced the Jewish people; we have been grafted into the same promise. We have been adopted into the covenant God established long ago. In His timing and through His drawing, God will welcome our Jewish brothers and sisters back into the house when they realize they no longer need to live in the pigpen.
The question is this: will we repeat the behavior of those Jesus was speaking to? Will the church act like the older brother? Or will we learn from Scripture and joyfully welcome them home, having prayed and believed for their return?
The Bible begins in a garden and ends at a table. It starts with humanity’s failure and ends with the Father’s banquet, every tribe and every tongue gathered around the love of God.
I’m excited for this week.
Prayer | Father, open my eyes to see Your love more clearly. Remove any hardness in my heart that keeps me from loving others the way You do. Teach me to trust Your timing, Your purposes, and Your perfect plan of redemption. Let Your love shape the way I see others. Amen.
Reflection
Key Scripture | “To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: ‘A man had two sons…’” —Luke 15:11–32 (NLT)
The story above is one that is beautiful and often taught. However, as we approach and celebrate Christmas this week, we are going to look at it through a slightly different lens. My hope is that it encourages you to dig into Scripture as we move toward a new year.
Jesus was brilliant in His teaching. So many, if not all, of His words carried multiple meanings and layers. He spoke directly to Jewish culture in His time, and yet thousands of years later, His words remain relevant and speak into our present moment as well.
This is why we love Scripture. Just when you think you have it figured out, you realize that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit exist outside of time. Their words speak into every moment of history. This truth unlocks peace in our lives: God is in control, and that control includes time itself.
Today, I want to begin with a simple but very important truth found in the opening line of this story, one I overlooked for years until the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and changed my perspective entirely:
“A man had two sons.”
It is not an oversimplification of Scripture to say that, in many ways, the story of the Bible is about a father who had two sons. Consider a few examples:
- Cain and Abel
- Isaac and Ishmael
- Jacob and Esau
- Jews and Gentiles
It is significant that Jesus begins the parable of the prodigal son by saying, “A father had two sons.” The context is clear. Jesus is speaking to Jewish Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious elite. He is speaking to “older sons,” those who had lived in the house yet had hardened their hearts toward the Father. That hardness of heart affected how they viewed the people Jesus had come to welcome into the family of God.
There is something in us that constantly looks for an enemy. When hatred rises in our hearts, it reveals that the same issues that plagued humanity generations ago are still very much alive today.
Everyone wants to be God’s favorite. We often build theology that justifies it. But this thinking minimizes the love of God and undermines trust in His perfect love.
As we begin this journey together, it would serve us well to remember that the story of the prodigal is not ultimately about either son. It is about the perfect love of a Father.
When we become so saturated in His love, that love begins to flow through us naturally, without filters of hate or bias.
The church has not replaced the Jewish people; we have been grafted into the same promise. We have been adopted into the covenant God established long ago. In His timing and through His drawing, God will welcome our Jewish brothers and sisters back into the house when they realize they no longer need to live in the pigpen.
The question is this: will we repeat the behavior of those Jesus was speaking to? Will the church act like the older brother? Or will we learn from Scripture and joyfully welcome them home, having prayed and believed for their return?
The Bible begins in a garden and ends at a table. It starts with humanity’s failure and ends with the Father’s banquet, every tribe and every tongue gathered around the love of God.
I’m excited for this week.
Prayer | Father, open my eyes to see Your love more clearly. Remove any hardness in my heart that keeps me from loving others the way You do. Teach me to trust Your timing, Your purposes, and Your perfect plan of redemption. Let Your love shape the way I see others. Amen.
Reflection
- Where might I identify more with the older brother than I realize?
- Are there places where pride or comparison has distorted how I view God’s love?
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Posted in Pastor Aaron, The Prodigal, Father\\\\\\\'s Love, Redemption, Christmas
Posted in Pastor Aaron, The Prodigal, Father\\\\\\\'s Love, Redemption, Christmas
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