In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
 
 We all know the story that Jesus tells in today’s gospel lesson from Luke.
It is a very rich story. William Barclay, the New Testament scholar called it “the greatest short story in the world.” I think however because the story of the prodigal son is so familiar to us that it has lost some of its edge, some of its tragedy and its joy. It is a story that is so often seen as a quaint little story that Jesus told a long, long time ago. But if we stop and think about it it is a story that is timeless.

 On a literal level it can be interpreted as a story dealing with family dynamics like the soap operas or evening dramas on television that none of us would admit to watching. The wild living of the prodigal son alone is definitely worth a few episodes. The father waits on the wayward prodigal son until he returns. And then we move to the “Hallmark” ending and cue the music. The response of the elder brother allows for a sequel because we don’t know if he goes to the party or not.

 However, Jesus’ parables, including the prodigal son, were never meant to remain simply at a literal level. There is always a theological point for a parable is really an earthly story with a heavenly message. This parable addresses topics of grace, salvation and the nature of God. Now many people look at this story from the point of view of the youngest son-the one who wasted all of his money and ended up going from bad to worse till-at last- he comes to his senses and heads for home hoping against hope that he can put his life back together.

Others of us identify with the father in the story. Especially those of us who happen to be parents of children who have gone off the beaten path. Think about the father for a minute. Consider his pain and disappointment.
Now we don’t know why the father gave in to the demands of his youngest son for the money.

Certainly, those of us who are parents know that children are different. It is impossible to treat each child exactly the same, because each child is unique. Someone once said that “no person knows their true character until they have run out of gas, declared bankruptcy or raised a teenager.”

But whatever the reason, the father must have been filled with worry, and doubt and constant wondering, Will my boy make it? will he become a decent man?
will he survive?, will he ever come home?

Now turning to the eldest son. How many of us can identify with him? I know that I can for I am the eldest son of a two brother family. And like him, many of us may have never left home. We were faithful to our parents and obeyed them. We have worked hard and lived a respectable life. We represent the good, dependable people. After all, many of us have gone to church all our lives, gave our offerings to support the church. We have worked in the church, served on its committees etc. and tried to live a life that is pleasing to God.

And so here we are, all gathered together – the believers, the elect, the frozen chosen. But what about everyone else? What about all those who are not here? Members of our own family. Are all of these people beyond the pale? There is no salvation outside of the church?
There are some who argue that it makes no sense to be a Christian if people can be saved without being Christians. The whole reason for being a Christian is to be saved. Being a Christian means we are on the “right” side. We are saved. Those who are not Christians are not.

Good grief! If all are saved, why don’t we just eat, drink and be merry? If, all are saved, what are we doing on this fine March morning sitting in the church when we could be do something more fun, if all are saved?

Be honest, like the older brother, there is something in us that begrudges the freedom of God to save those whom God would save – even if that includes everyone. I know that this is something I struggle with constantly that self righteousness that causes me to stand in a superior position over other people even though there was a time a time in my life that I was the prodigal son.

The parable challenges our narrow assumptions concerning God’s grace and mercy at work in the world. It is very easy to envision the feast of heaven full of martyrs for the faith and do-good sorts of people like the elder son. But it is very difficult to imagine sitting down to the feast of heaven with “prodigal son” sorts of people: the homeless, panhandlers and street kids, addicts, thieves and death squad thugs. Even to these people God turns his heart inside out, pouring out his grace and mercy, holding back nothing.

And now we are gathered in our Father’s house.
Who of us deserves to be here?
Who of us deserves to be born anew through water and Spirit?
Who of us deserves to come to the Lord’s Table?
For once we were dead and yet through Christ we are alive again. We were lost but we have been found. There is a homecoming for all of us because there is a home. In Christ, all have already been found, and therefore no one is lost. That some may choose not to accept this great gift is another matter. We pray, we hope, that all will accept the gift of salvation, the gift of wholeness. It is there for all through Christ.

And I guess this is the way that I look at the question of the ultimate fate of all humanity. In my own life, I have experienced the grace and the truth that is the story of the prodigal son. I have wandered. I have known the far away country. I have been creative in avoiding the reach of the grace of God. Yet, I have known the seeking. persistent, relentless reach of God toward me.

God for me, has been the waiting Father who waited until I was ready to come home. Having experienced this grace in my own life, I can imagine it working in the lives of others in the ordinary moments of their day. And because of this persistent grace, I can hope for the final triumph when God will be all in all.
I can hope and pray for that.

Of course, when it comes to the eternal end of anyone, that is God’s business, not ours. In these matters we do not ultimately know. Only God knows. But still we may hope in the waiting Father who waits until…
THANKS BE TO GOD, AMEN.