Dec 12, 2003 5 min read

Scripture reading: Luke 15:1-32. Text: “But the father (that is, the father of the prodigal son) 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; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to make merry.” Luke 15:22-24. Let the third message in this Advent be not only a self-analysis but also a driving force that will turn our thoughts into conclusion and our intentions into actions.

WHAT DO THE STORY OF THE PRODIGAL SON AND THE ADVENT SEASON HAVE IN COMMON?

You are familiar with the main points of this favorite parable; the younger son asked his father to give him his share from the inheritance what he managed to waste by having fun far away from home. When he became poor and destitute, he had changed his mind and returned home hoping to receive forgiveness from his father. The loving parent had not only mercy on him but also a great party celebrating his son’s return. The older son, who presumably never could get along with his brother, disapproved of this lavish and extravagant feast and argued with the father, why does an irresponsible child deserve more than an obedient one?

One word is the key to the whole problem: DESERVE. Who deserves what?

– Whoever is bad deserves punishment, correction or at least being warned.

– Whoever is good deserves a reward, appreciation or at least a pat on the shoulder.

But what will happen in a long run if we do not follow this logical line and do not give the people whatever they deserve? Shall we be ruthless and simply say without any compassion: do not be unhappy if you did not get what you were asking for, rather be happy that you did not receive what you deserve?

As Christmas is fast approaching and the gifts are selected let us consider this question from a spiritual viewpoint: WHO DESERVES WHAT?

HE OR SHE DESERVES THE BEST! ” . . . BRING QUICKLY THE BEST ROBE, . . .”

When it comes to your beloved one – shall that person be your husband or wife, son or daughter, father or mother, boyfriend or girlfriend – what is in your mind when the proper gift is selected? HE OR SHE DESERVES THE BEST. And if we stretch it a little bit further, then we can find an undisclosed thought hidden behind modesty and humbleness, and I deserve the best too! Nobody wants to be cheap and give up the demands for high quality and good taste.

While most of us would agree on the principle that those people helped mankind to get ahead and were the great achievers – who aimed high, wanted nothing but the best, did not accept the second rate, had the ambition to improve, and were perfectionists – we should do some soul-searching and ask a few questions from ourselves:

– Am I the best? Probably in my own eyes, yes! But then why did I get stuck here? Why did not I become a famous leader, scholar, artist, executive, politician, educator or businessman? Why cannot I solve all the problems, find all the solutions and know all the answers?

– Have I done my best? Even if a person is not outstanding and is not known by the whole nation, he or she can render an excellent service, help much more than the average citizens do and remain the unsung hero in the battle of the everyday life. God did not create millions of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Schweitzer or Mother Teresa, but everybody can do what the anonymous Good Samaritan did.

– Did God offer spiritually the best? No doubt our economical situation leaves much to be desired. Many families have hard time to make ends meet. The future is not equally bright for everyone. But if we can put aside our financial grievances for a moment and concentrate on spirituality, then we can ask: what more could have God offered to the whole world than the gifts we received through Jesus Christ? As the prodigal son squandered his share given by his father likewise, mankind would have wasted all the riches, gifts, treasures, and material blessings showered upon us from above. More money would not solve the problems of one of the richest countries of the world, but more fruits of the Spirit will positively do. Please read Galatians 5:22-24.

Yes, you deserve the best, however, what is God offering you and us in Christ? If we have been offered spiritually the “best”, what is our obligation?

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.