“There was a man who had two sons.”1 We know about the younger son—the one who received his inheritance early and left home to spend it all. Let’s call him Simon. The older one—let’s call him Jonah—he knew better. He was willing to wait for his inheritance. Jonah lived at home and worked dutifully for his father. He was working in the field when Simon came home broke and remorseful. Jonah headed for the house and “heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 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.’”2
Jonah stomped away, incensed at his father for throwing a party in honor of his wayward and irresponsible little brother. For months he had watched his father agonize over Simon’s decision. Although the father graciously gave his younger son the money, he suspected Simon would probably not handle the newly acquired wealth with wisdom. The father waited daily for any news from him. But when he did not hear anything, he thought the worst and concluded that Simon might be dead and mourned the loss in his heart. As Jonah watched his father suffer, his anger grew.
When Simon finally showed up, Jonah was furious with him and expected his father to pour out wrath on the boy for his harmful and hurtful actions. But he did not. Instead, he was filled with joy and planned a big celebration for him. Jonah was outraged! The father should have rebuked Simon! This was no occasion to throw a party! Jonah was indignant and could not pretend to be happy over it. “His father came out and entreated him” to join the celebration “but he was angry and refused to go in.”3 And his fury caused him to yell at 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.”4
When Jonah’s father saw Simon and how he had turned from his wayward life, “he had compassion”5 on him. “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.”6 And Jonah’s father left the party room and asked him, “Have you any right to be angry?”7 So instead of celebrating, “Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would”8 happen.
Wait a minute! I am mixing two stories together—the Old Testament prophet Jonah and the older brother, whom I have dubbed “Jonah,” in this prodigal son story. But they seem to be strangely similar. The two men had the same problem: they were both incensed at the mercy of their father. They did not believe that good things should happen to bad people—even if the bad people repented! The Jonahs believed in right living and following the rules, and they lived their lives accordingly. And although they had never thought about or even wanted a party thrown for them, they were suddenly very jealous of the party that their father was throwing for sinners—even if they had repented! They despised their father’s mercy and forgiveness. They were outraged at the outpouring of love towards sinners.
And that’s how the story ends for both Jonahs. How sad is that? There was a party going on right next to these guys, with music and dancing and good food and drink, and everyone “began to celebrate.”9 Everyone but the Jonahs—even though they were invited! They held on to their bitter spirit. And chose not to have fun. Chose not to be happy. Chose not to sing. And dug their heals in the ground with their bitterness. And that is why we are told to “see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”10
Because a bitter spirit will refuse to celebrate good things. A bitter spirit will reject grace. It actually rebukes mercy. And kills joy. Our two Jonahs were two good men who became jealous of sinners’ luck. And they would also probably predict a falling away that would occur with said sinners. Because a bitter spirit “causes trouble.” Which is why we really need to not be bitter. Ever.
So, what is the big lesson here? God loves the Jonahs and the Simons of the world. His compassion and mercy is the same for everyone. When Simon “was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”11 And the father lovingly reminded Jonah, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.”12 So whether we are “a long way off” from God or working “in the field” for God, the invitation is the same for all his children: Come to the party!
1Luke 15:11 2Luke 15:25-27 3Luke 15:28 4Luke 15:29 5Jonah 3:10 6Jonah 4:1 7Jonah 4:4 8Jonah 4:5 9Luke 15:24 10Hebrews 12:15 11Luke 15:20 12Luke 15:31
