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Luke 15:11–32 (ESV)
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”
Today I want us to soak in this parable one last time. We’ve already spoken of the younger son, the older brother and the father, but there is one more group of people to consider in the parable. They are not named, but their presence is assumed by all.
The scenes depicted in this parable has been the inspiration of many artists down the years, the most famous painting was created by Rembrandt. In Rembrandt’s (the picture above), it’s easy to figure out who the characters are; there’s the father embracing the younger son and the older brother is standing off to the side…, but there are other people in this painting, who are they?
The “others” in the painting represent those who would have been understood to have been silently present in the parable; the servants who are instructed by the father to get the robe, ring and shoes, and to prepare for the celebration. And of course, there would have been the party goers as well, those making merry and celebrating.
In fact, a whole village of “others” would have been understood to be a part of the parable.
Ken Baily was a pastor and scholar who spent his entire life studying the Middle East cultural context and in his books on Jesus’ parables, he commented that everything which takes place in this parable would have been known to throughout the entire village.
Which may have been a reason why the younger son got out of town so quickly, he wanted to avoid the people’s scorn for the scandalous way he has treated his father and in the process undermined the life of the whole village. Bailey also notes that it may be the reason why the younger son takes so long to return home after running out of money.
Bailey points out that if a Jewish son lost his inheritance to the Gentiles and then tried to return home, the villagers would perform a ceremony called the kezazah. They would break a large pot in front of him and yell, “You are cut off from your people” and they would utterly reject him from that point on.
So we know that as Jesus tells this parable, it’s understood that there were others who knew what was happening; the villagers, the servants, the friends of the older brother, the guests.
These bystanders and onlookers, they are invested in this story and the big question is, “How will they respond to the father’s scandalous love?”
These “others” are represented in Rembrandt’s painting—look at the picture again. In the original painting they are hard to see because of the rich depth of color. There are three other figures: the man in a black hat, another behind him leaning up against the pillar, and then another person, further back and to the left.
We don’t have any idea who Rembrandt intends for those figures to represent, but we do know that they represent bystanders and onlookers in Jesus’ parable.
Henri Nouwen, in his work, The Return of the Prodigal Son, was captivated by Rembrandt’s work and used his passion for the painting to talk about Jesus parable.
He noted that the figures are enigmatic to say the least. There is no expression on their faces, but, they are all looking on intently as the drama unfolds.
Nouwen wonders what we wonder. What are those figures thinking? Will they understand the father’s delight and love? Can they let go of their recriminations and share in the father’s joy and celebration?
Can they? Can we?
Those figures in the painting represent the spiritual battle which is taking place as we witness what seems to be the ridiculous outpouring of God the Father, in His love, mercy, forgiveness, and grace through the gift of His Son Jesus in His birth, life, death and resurrection.
What will be their response as they hear the Gospel message? What is yours?
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers!
Scott
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