Let Go

(Excerpt from Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series, Volume 1, 2021)

Jesus taught in parables. One of the most familiar of the parables is the story of the Prodigal son. The story contains three characters, the Prodigal, the bad son, his brother, the good son and their father. Jesus used stories as an instructional technique to provide an illustration from which His hearers could learn the principles, He wanted them to know.

I have heard many sermons and read many accounts in Christian books in which lessons from this story are being presented. Let’s explore these lessons by looking at each of these characters.

The Prodigal son is an example of the wayward sinner who has made decisions and choices that have led to a path of personal destruction. Rather than take his place in the family business he chose to ask for his share and left on his adventure where he “blew” it in a life style of debauchery. The consequences of these choices lead to a point of despair that triggered repentance. As a response to the repentance the Prodigal returns to the father asking for a position as a servant, surrendering his position as a son with hope of being able to survive. He was joyously received by his father.

The older son remained loyal to the family business and faithfully went about his responsibilities. However, he was not pleased with his father’s response to the return of his wayward brother and became angry. When his father invited him to the celebration of the return of his younger brother, he let his father know about his displeasure. He referred to his brother as, “this son of yours” rather than my brother. He was distancing himself from relationship with his brother. He contrasted his loyal faithfulness to the family business to his brother’s disloyalty and unfaithfulness. He felt slighted and unrewarded.

Some commentators have been critical of the older brother and have attempted to contrast the older brother as an example of a works kind of salvation with the younger brother’s repentance and seeking grace. There may be something there but I think the old brother’s reaction was very understandable. We are not told about the impact on the family business that resulted from the younger brother’s taking capital from the business. Surely, the older brother felt that he had to work harder because his brother was not there to share the load.

What about the father? What was Jesus’ point in the story concerning the father? It is safe to assume that the father in this story is a type of the Heavenly Father. We know that the Heavenly Father rejoices over sinners that repent.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance (Luke 15:7).

However, I want to focus on a part of the story that I have not heard in any commentary or discussion. The father let him go! I am sure that the father knew that his younger son was not making a wise choice. I am indulging in speculation, but I am guessing that the younger son’s behavior and attitudes had been on display. Perhaps he was rebellious. Perhaps he was selfish. Perhaps he was disrespectful.

Another thought: “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ The Prodigal was asking for his inheritance while his father was still living. He couldn’t wait for his father to die. It was like he was telling his father he wished he were dead. How brash!

Whatever the circumstances, there is no indication that the father pleaded with him to reconsider and to stay. We know in contrast in reference to the older brother’s refusal to come to the celebration the father “came out and began pleading with him”.

Hmmmm! This is very interesting. What are the implications? Obviously, the father was willing to let the Prodigal go. If we accept that the father in this story is a type of our Heavenly Father, the implication is when people choose to go in a wrong and possibly destructive direction the Heavenly Father will let them go.

Here is an interesting example: In the Corinthian church there was a man who was involved in sexual sin. Paul gave this advice “let him go”!

…deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (I Corinthians 5:5).

What are the implications for us? Are there situations in which we should let someone go? Do we need to let go and allow consequences to do their work? I suspect that the father in the story knew that his younger son would not listen to anything the father said in objection or warning concerning his choice to leave. However, the father was willing to plead with the older son about joining the celebration. I am wondering if the father sensed that the older son would listen to his father’s reasoned explanation.

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

Could it be that the decision whether to let go or not to let go is linked to whether the person will listen? Receiving instruction is wise and can save hardship and failure while refusal to receive instruction can result in negative consequences.

Here is an application and a dilemma. When we are in relationship with someone is there a time to let go? Parents face this decision with their children, especially adult children. This can be a decision to be made when seeking to help a struggling friend or relative. Here is a verse that may provide some guidance.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (I Peter 3:15).

The key word seems to be asketh. The assumption is if someone asks, they are ready to hear what you have to say. The decision to let go or to not let go needs to be prayerfully reached. I am sure no one would want to interfere with the need for a person to experience consequences like the Prodigal who when he came to his senses repented and sought restoration. Interference can come in the form of a rescue or attempts to mitigate the impact of the consequences. Sometimes this can become enabling. Much to think about! Meanwhile we are prepared and ready to help when they ask.

Points to ponder: What was the main point that Jesus was teaching in this story? The main point is stated: was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found and this is reason to rejoice. Let’s look at the context of Jesus’ teaching. Just before this story Jesus told the story of the lost sheep. The shepherd left the ninety and nine and went searching for the lost sheep. When the lost sheep was found there was rejoicing. Then he told the story of the lost coin. After a diligent search the cone was found and there was rejoicing.

Jesus’ conclusion of the story of the lost sheep was:

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (Luke 15:7).

Jesus’ conclusion of the story of the lost coin was:

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10).

Three stories, three celebrations each about the finding of the lost. But notice, the shepherd searched for the lost sheep and the woman searched for the coin. They did not let go. In contrast the father of the Prodigal did not search for him. The father waited for his son to come to his senses. Observation: the lost sheep and the lost coin could not find their way back but the lost son could.

Let’s speculate a little about what happened next in the story of the Prodigal son. It is important to be cautious when speculating what was not stated in any story and particularly in a teaching story by Jesus. That being said, what was the Prodigal’s new status? The father referred to him as this son of mine. From the father’s perspective sonship was restored. The Prodigal had returned and was asking to become an employee of the family business. Did he become an employee? The father had a history of giving him what he asked. He had given him his share of the business back when he asked for it in the beginning of the story.

Here is evidence that he was not restored to the position of partner or shareholder. This is what the father told the older brother: all that is mine is yours. If the older brother was to receive all, there would not be anything else for the Prodigal. My conclusions, the consequences of the Prodigal son still continued even though his status had changed.

Closing thought for meditation: The father let go. Where do you and I need to let go?

The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32

And He said, “A man had two sons. “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. “And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. “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.’ “But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

More adventures in Biblical thinking about letting go.

These exercises can be used for reflection on the content of this adventure in Biblical thinking or they could be used as discussion starters for a small group Bible study.

1. Close your hand in a fist. Open your hand. What can you grasp and hold on to with an open hand? To let go your hand has to be open. Can you think of a time when you had to let go?
2. Notice the father in the story didn’t force compliance. Notice that the Lord doesn’t force compliance. The Lord gives us the opportunity and capacity to choose. By doing this the Lord demonstrates respect for us and gives us the dignity of causality. Can you think of examples in your life or someone else’s life where the drama of the Lord letting go happened?
3. Have you ever experienced or witnessed a situation where like the older brother, the good and faithful son, was left with burdens because of the waywardness of another person?
4. Do you think the father prayed for the Prodigal? Do you think the father longed for the Prodigal to return? Hint: But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Is there someone that you are watching for and waiting for their return?
5. Maybe in a much less dramatic way, have you ever played the part of the Prodigal in terms of your relationship with the Lord? Assuming that you have returned to the Lord, what events or thoughts triggered the decision to return?