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EMAIL SERMON SERVICE Vol. 3, No. 10 from Diversity Press

10. IF JESUS LIVED TODAY
HOW WOULD HE HANDLE AUTONOMY
(Luke 15:21-24; James 1:13-15)
(Delivered 6-2-02)

A certain young man decided to live out the parable of the
Prodigal Son. He squandered his money on alcohol, drugs and
prostitutes. When he was flat broke, he left his, so called,
friends and returned to his father. Some time later an
acquaintance asked, "Well, when you came home, did your dad kill
the fatted calf?" "No!" The youth replied, "but he almost
killed the prodigal son."

That's not surprising, since few of us are tolerant of our
loved ones' mistakes.

Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son is a classic analogy of the
divine/human relationship. It overturned the old traditional
ideas about God. God is not a stern judge ready to mete out
punishment. God is not a dictator who forces people to obey.
God is not even partial to submissive, obedient individuals. He
loves us! He encourages personal autonomy. He allows total
freedom, and He forgives and accepts those who make mistakes.
Jesus said, "A certain man had two sons; and the younger of
them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the
estate that falls to me.' And 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 in need. And he went and
attached himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he
sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he was longing to
fill his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and
no one was giving anything to him" (Luke 15:11-16).

This young man's problems were the inevitable result of poor
choices and immature behavior. He hit bottom. "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"
' "Luke 15:17-19).

This youth was finally ready to be realistic. At last he saw
life as it really was! He made a very rational decision; but
the best part is yet to come. Jesus said, "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 be merry; for this son of mine was dead,
and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.'
And they began to be merry" (Luke 15:20-24).

What a wonderful and unexpected reception! His father didn't
scold him and punish him. He didn't require an apology. He
didn't even say, "I told you so." Instead, he loved and
accepted him, just as he was. Giving him the "best robe" meant
that he was being reinstated to his original position with all
the rights of a son. The ring, symbolized the union of the
father and son relationship. Giving him "shoes" to wear showed
that he was not considered to be a slave. In those days, slaves
went barefoot.

The father's response is an illustration of grace. The older
son showed no grace. He was jealous and bitter. The Scriptures
say, "The older son was in the field. When he came near the
house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the
servants and asked him what was going on. `Your brother has
come,' he replied, `and your father has killed the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.' The older brother
became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and
pleaded with him. But he answered . . .`Look! All these years
I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet
you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my
friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your
property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf
for him!'" (Luke 15:25-30).

This son typifies those who work out of duty, not love. They
"do right," and yet condemn and judge others.

Why do you suppose Jesus told this surprising story about
family relationships? What lessons can we learn from this
parable? What point was he making about personal autonomy?

I. FIRST, IT EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL LIBERTY.

The father allowed the son to make a foolish choice. He didn't
argue or criticize. He didn't try to persuade him to stay. He
loved him enough to let him go. We must realize that Jesus
lived in a day when family and tribal solidarity were considered
to be much more important than individual independence. So, the
father's attitude was even more surprising.

God doesn't force us to do anything. Jesus said, "If the Son
sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).

II. NEXT, IT EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF AVOIDING ENMESHMENT.

The father did not intervene or meddle or go into the far
country to rescue the son. His tough love let the boy reap the
consequences of his choices. He hit bottom and wallowed in a
pig pen, and no one bailed him out. He had to "come to
himself" and take action before he could be helped.
Jesus didn't heal every sick person in Palestine. He only
healed those who requested help. He even questioned one
invalid's desire for health. He knew that some hypochondriacs
are actually "enjoying" their disabilities. "When Jesus saw him
lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a
long time, he asked him, "Do you (really) want to get well?' "
(John 5:6).

III. FINALLY, IT EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF RECONCILIATION.

The father did not condemn or punish the son when he returned.
He welcomed him and even cut short his apology. He was generous
and joyous. He gave him all the symbols of sonship.

Jesus wanted us to know that as Christians, we are not slaves.
We are sons and daughters of God. Jesus said, "I no longer call
you servants, because a servant does not know his master's
business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything
that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John
15:15).

Now, what if this were today. If Jesus was telling a modern
story, would he use the plight of a rebellious teen-ager who got
on drugs and became homeless and destitute? Would he describe a
young man who wasted his inheritance on a harebrained scheme?
Would he relate how an impulsive gambler lost the family fortune
in Las Vegas?

Well, in a democracy, we know that citizens expect more
individual freedom. Young people have many more options with
college and travel, but some basic urges remain the same. Even
though the places and types of entertainment would be different
if Jesus lived in America today instead of Palestine 2000 years
ago, he would still have to deal with issues between parents and
teens.

1. FIRST, HE WOULD DEFINITELY ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUAL AUTONOMY.

In fact, he had been quite "autonomous" as a young boy of 12,
when he stayed in the temple for 3 days. He showed his personal
independence again when his family came to get him. The
Scriptures say, "While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his
mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing
outside, wanting to speak to you." He replied to him, "Who is
my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples,
he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers" (Matt. 12:46-49).
By words and example Jesus was against enmeshment. Of course
he loved his family and would want us to love our families; but
not at the expense of our own development and freedom.

2. NEXT, JESUS WOULD AVOID CONTROLLING OTHERS.

He never coerced or pressured anyone. This is demonstrated
when he let the Rich Young Ruler walk away. He didn't force
change even when people were making deadly decisions. Once, he
said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and
stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your
children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,
but you were not willing" (Matt. 23:37).

3. FINALLY, JESUS WOULD BE TOTALLY COMMITTED TO RECONCILIATION.

He never scolded or punished people who made mistakes. One
woman was caught in an act that carried "the death penalty."
"The teachers of the law . . . brought in a woman caught in
adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to
Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do
you say?" . . . Jesus bent down and started to write on the
ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he
straightened up and said to them, 'If any one of you is without
sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.' . . . At
this, those who heard began to go away one at a time . . . until
only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus
. . . asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned
you?' 'No one, sir,' she said. 'Then neither do I condemn you,'
" (John 8:3-5,11).

On a more personal level, after Peter deserted him and lied and
cursed, Jesus only asked, " 'Simon son of John, do you truly
love me more than these?' When Peter answered, 'Yes, Lord! You
know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' " (John
21:15).

Now, if we're to take the Gospel seriously, what does this mean
for us?

Remember the Scripture says, "Whoever claims to live in him
must walk as Jesus did" (I John 2:6).

If Jesus lived today he would be autonomous and allow others to
be autonomous; but he would also encourage reconciliation.
There's an old story about reconciliation: Once a man was
sitting on a bus next to a miserable looking young man.
Finally, he revealed that he had just gotten out of prison. He
had brought shame on his family and they hadn't visited him nor
written much. But, now, he wanted to change and hoped they
would forgive him.

Afraid of rejection, he had written suggesting that if his
family wanted him back in their lives, they should tie a white
ribbon in the big tree near the highway as a signal. If they
didn't want him back they were to do nothing; he would
understand and stay on the bus and head west.

As the bus neared his hometown, the suspense became so great he
couldn't bear to look out the window. The older man changed
places with him and said he would watch for the tree. In a few
minutes he touched the young convict's arm. "There it is," he
whispered, and it's all right. The whole tree is white with
ribbons.

Do you see God as a loving, joyful father? Jesus did!

Do you avoid being judgmental toward those who have failed?
Jesus did!

Do you believe that you can always be restored to your rightful
place? Jesus did!

The greatest gift God gives us is our free-will!

*****
(Word Count 2006)

These messages are from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted
by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. Please use them in
any way you think appropriate. The only thing we ask is that
you give credit for original material in published works.

EMAIL SERMON SERVICE is a free service from Diversity Press.
Material in our sermons usually present the Gospel from a
non-Fundamentalist, psychological point of view. They should be
readily adaptable for ALL denominations and even secular
occasions by omitting the Scriptures.

My ministry has been blessed immeasurably by reading other
people's sermons. When I started preaching 54 years ago, I
waited for "inspiration" before I began my sermon preparation
(usually Saturday night, about midnight). Then, I discovered it
wasn't inspiration at all-it was sheer PANIC. I would have
welcomed this service.

Comments are always welcome. (Please indicate if you do not want
your comments to appear in New Perspectives).

Miles E. Wesner