"Prodigal"

We’re grillin’ and we’re chillin’,

And we’re fillin’ every plate,

With good old brisket barbeque,

And we can hardly wait.

‘Cause the big boss man says that we can,

Throw a party to remember,

His younger son, he thought was done,

Been gone lots of Septembers,

Has just showed up so fill your cup,

And let him know we’re glad,

Been so long but now he’s home,

Let’s dance away the sad.

So now what’s this, there is no kiss,

From the older son who’s here,

Resents the fact his brother’s back,

But Dad makes it so clear,

That he’ll rejoice because the choice,

To give grace ‘stead of shame,

Is the only way to really say,

The lost boy we still claim.

“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.” (Luke 15:32, NAS)

It’s been called the greatest story Jesus ever told, one of three illustrating the celebration that occurs when the lost is found. The lost sheep and the lost coin set the stage for the story of the lost son. Remember Jesus told these to answer the criticism of the Pharisees about Jesus associating with “sinners,” In the so-called parable of the prodigal son, the older son represents the religious leaders who won’t come to the party of grace. :Let us be careful that we don’t miss the party either.

Lord, help us celebrate the lost being found, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Clark Kelley Price, used by permission. Thanks, Clark, and God bless you.