Dear Rose Park,
This is the sixth and final Lenten-letter that will focus on a central story and book. The story is the Parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15. The book is The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller. As we continue to journey step-in-step with Jesus towards the cross of Calvary, it’s my hope for each and every one of us to recover the heart of our faith in the Risen King.
As we get closer and closer to Easter, it’s quite common for individuals and families to make plans for Easter brunch. You might already be thinking of cooking a spiral ham, freshly made biscuits or rolls, a green-bean casserole, or some other favorite side dish to share with guests. The idea of a gathering for a celebratory feast is not only traditional for many families, but also biblical. Jesus is constantly referring to His coming Kingdom using culinary terms and images. Whether it’s the banquet table that the prophet Isaiah points towards or Jesus turning water into wine in Cana, scripture continually describes the Kingdom of God as a feast that we will be invited to partake in. Keller writes:
Feasting is communal by nature. No reunion, family gathering, wedding, or other significant social event is complete without a meal. When we invite someone to eat with us, it is an invitation to relax a bit and get to know one another. In many cultures, to offer to eat with someone is to offer them friendship. Pg. 139
If you remember, the father in the parable of the prodigal son holds a feast to celebrate his youngest son coming home. The oldest son refuses to join the party though. So, the father comes out in the hopes of inviting the elder son back inside to join the festivities and celebrate his brothers return. Unfortunately, the parable ends here, and we aren’t told if the elder son eventually goes back inside. We don’t know if they embrace with a hug and reconcile. Here’s what we do know: when our Heavenly Father invites us to eat at His banquet table, there will be younger and older siblings alike.
There will be sinners redeemed by grace from every walk of life sitting side-by-side at the table. There will be some elder brothers who were once jealous. There will be some younger brothers who were once reckless. There will be some family members who once said nasty things about you. There will be some people who once ignored you or treated you harshly. But when the Lord of the Banquet returns, all things - including you and I - will be made new. Praise God from whom all blessings flow and praise the Risen King!
Grace & Peace,
