The Compassionate Father

Luke 15:11-32 

THE FATHER'S DAY TOP TEN LIST OF THINGS FATHERS HAVE BEEN ITCHIN'TO SAY FOR YEARS

#10 Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

#9 Shopping is NOT a sport, and no, we are never going to think of it that way.

#8 Sunday = sports. It’s like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

#7 “Yes” and “No” are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

#6 Check your oil! Please, check your oil!

#5 Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all past comments become null and void after 7 days.

#4 If something we said can be interpreted two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

#3 If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing’s wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

#2 ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

#1 Christopher Columbus did not need directions, and neither do we.  

The Relationship

The son wanted the gift more than the giver.

The son was serving out of obligation.

The son sees dad as an employer. 

The Ritual

The son would receive partial value.

The land must be sold to be divided.

The full value would not be realized.

The older brother would receive 2/3 of the property. 

The Response

The older brother should have reached out to the father and his younger brother.

The older brother should have valued the relationship more than the inheritance.

The Father is desperate for us.

Jesus would rather die than live without you.

The story ends with the older brother being indignant because we must finish the story.