Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends...but first you must
leave so you can return. And some do and some don’t. When I left Jersey in
1975 for the wilds of New Mexico, all my friends were sure I would return soon.
I was told it was the same everywhere, why would you want to go to New Mexico,
you don’t speak Spanish, but I did and they spoke English, and you’ll be back.
Some 40 years later I wonder if any are still waiting or if any still remember?
But moving out is nothing knew, and we all do it, well almost all, some never
leave home, that I don’t get. And I will admit it was tougher than I had first
anticipated, but in the back of my mind I knew I could always return to the safe
confines of New Jersey and my parent’s house. But I never did, and although
many times my address was on the road, and like when we had little money and
moved to Durango, $11, I always ate, always had place over my head for me and my
ride, and never looked back. But the times I did go back to visit, I found out
how much I had really changed, for my friends hadn’t. Maybe they were right,
it is the same everywhere if you never leave.
But I have friends who did leave and go back, and never seemed happy about
it. They retreated back instead of sticking it out. Tough times will make
tough people, but the toughest times somehow make us more tender hearted when
God is in the midst of it. But what of those who never leave, who stay behind,
who make excuses and never see their potential? Who have always been safe and
secure at home, never testing the waters. Never eating Mexican food in Texas,
fried clams in Boston, or fish tacos in So Cal.? And so it was, and so it is
after almost 40 years-home on the road has never been so close yet so far
away.
Many know of the story of the prodigal son, the kid who demanded his
inheritance, blew it on loose living, ended up broke and eating pig slop, and
then returning humbly to his dad, begging just to be a servant. We are not told
the things he learned on the road, and maybe the story should be called the
waiting father, for it is more about the father than it is the son. I often
wonder about the things the father taught his sons, and we see a difference in
the two, and their attitude to their father. One wanted out, he had been taught
the truth and values instilled in him. Like scripture tells us our kids will
come back to what they have been taught, and he returned, humbled and
humiliated, but knowing his father would accept him, he knew his father’s love.
How many nights have we as fathers waited by the phone for our kids to call,
wondering how they are, maybe even a letter. Good or bad news, we love to hear
from them. And the younger rebellious son knew this, and so it was not
surprising to see his father run to him. What a sight that must have been,
running in sandals and a robe...but he too may have been humiliated when
publicly reminded about “where is your son?” So both suffered humiliation, but
love conquered. He loved his son no matter what, just like God loves us. And
when he did return, it was a hero’s welcome, for his son had been at war, maybe
with God, maybe with himself and his values, but never with his father. There
may have been some harsh words, but his father sent him off in love, knowing how
he was, and not surprised when he failed. It was only when his son confessed
his fate, that his father knew. And having nothing to return with, he found he
had everything to return to, as his father loved him, gave him the special robe,
and a ring. Then the party began, for a lost soul had returned. The son had
returned to sender-address known. And I bet his fahter would have run to him
even if he was a success. That’s love. And the show that never ends was just
beginning.
When the Beatles sang “She’s Leaving Home,” they sang of “something inside
that was always denied for so many years...” and that speaks more of the son who
stayed home. Just like the one little piggy who stayed home and had none, he
had become bitter. And really had become the prodigal son, useless, as the word
prodigal means useless. He was jealous, he felt he had toiled for nothing, and
had expected everything, his brother was gone. Like the parable of the talents,
he hid his talent in the ground, and never used it. He expected to earn his
inheritance, he knew valuables instead of values. How different two sons can be
growing up in the same home, as Cain and Abel did, and Jacob and Esau did. They
like the real prodigal had forgotten they were their brother’s keeper. And
despite unworthy sacrifices, and selling out for a meal, they both never learned
what their younger brothers did. They never got as close to their father, the
younger ones sinning and finding forgiveness, the other not even knowing he
sinned. It was the ones who wondered who really never left the values they
learned at home, so we find the older brother bitter, and hating both his father
and his brother. Ironic how one left home and lived and toiled in the dirt of
life, while one stayed home and toiled in the dirt. Of life.
It is the things inside of us, the dreams, visions, and ideas that express
us. And when God leads us, we see life through his eyes. For just as the
father ran to the son who went astray, God runs to us in the form of Jesus, who
he sent to reconcile us to himself. We all have sinned and fallen short of the
glory of god, some learn it at home, some on the road. Some are raised in
church and never leave, some go out and find life outside the four walls. Jesus
is in both places, but he taught in the temple, and ministered on the road. It
is the tough times in which our character shows, and forgiveness covers a
multitude of sins. It also reunites us to our father, who puts all our past
aside, forgets the sin, and reunites the sinner to him. Many things you can
learn in church, but it takes a step of faith to get out and try them on your
own.
And I wonder if deep down inside the older brother wasn’t jealous? Maybe
he wanted to go, but was afraid. Maybe he thought he had to stay, and missed
the freedom his father had told him about. Maybe he was just lukewarm until his
brother returned, we never know if he missed him, only that he was sad he
returned. Two brothers, two sinners, one loving father. Only one asked
forgiveness, and had his inheritance restored. The other never got his,
salvation is like that. Some think they have to do good works, to perform, and
still hope to make it. But salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned. The
returning son had nothing to brag about, but neither did the son that stayed
home. It is in our weakness that God’s strength is made perfect...perfect love
for all of us who have fallen. And returned. I can see his father’s
outstretched arms, the tears flowing, and the excitement in his voice. His
neighbors must have thought him crazy, love will do that to you. Grace cannot
be rationalized, it makes no sense. Maybe that is why it is so amazing...it can
only come from God. So here is to all you who have gone astray, welcome home,
the party in heaven is just beginning. And for all you prodigals, if Jesus
never had left his home, where would we be? I can hear ELP singing at a loud
volume in heaven now, the words of a loving father who gave up his son so we
could make it there, “welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends,
We’re so glad you came along, come inside, come inside...” Something inside the
real prodigal denied for so many years. Jesus returned to his sender, says so
right in the scriptures. He was and is the King long before and long after
Elvis was. So sad many believe Elvis is alive, yet God is dead. Take some time
to return to your father in heaven today. For life is not the same everywhere,
and either is death.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com