two lost kids

So, I just finished reading the book The Prodigal God by Tim Keller. What an eye-opening book! The parable we call "The Prodigal Son" is one that we often consider in the following way: A younger brother takes his father's inheritance, goes off and squanders the money on wild living, and then turns back to the Father who runs to meet his son with open arms and welcome him home. We think about it in terms of our lostness and God's free gift of grace and forgiveness.

Keller spends much more time unpacking the parable...fleshing out that it is really a parable of the two lost sons, not just the one. The elder brother's reaction to the return of his younger brother and his response to his Father showed that he was lost as well. He, like his younger brother, just really wanted the Father's things and not the Father.

Keller does an amazing job addressing the younger brother who was trying to find salvation through self-discovery and the elder brother who was trying to find salvation through good behavior. He also does a tremendous job showing us the character, sacrifice, and invitation of the Father.

I'll never read this parable in the same light again. As Jesus addressed both the tax-collectors/sinners and the Pharisees in his audience, so he addresses all of us in this story as well, and points us to the Father, the true elder brother (Jesus), and the feast. I'd recommend the book!