Role Playing

It is a beautiful day and the sun is shining.  You have been following Jesus around for a while now, but you can't understand why He wants to spend an evening with the tax collector, Matthew.  Your friends are next to you as you sit and listen to Him.  He begins to tell a story.  He tells you to imagine everything He says.

“A man has two sons. The younger one decides he wants his inheritance.  Now.  So the father gives this son what he would eventually inherit.  The son packs up all his belongings and leaves for the city.”



The rabbi says, “Imagine you are the son”.  Jesus continues with his tale.



“You love city life.  You love the lights, the fast pace, the action.  You go to bars, stay out all hours, and party very hard. Eventually, you spend everything you inherited.  You are wiped out.  Your money is gone.  You find yourself on the streets without a place to live, or food to eat. So you look for a job.  The only job you can find is as a laborer on a farm.  But it still doesn’t pay enough for groceries or rent, and it’s very strenuous. You have to feed your hunger with food intended for the pigs, and sleep in the sty with them. Now you’re lying there among the pigs, hungry and thinking of home; the bed, the warmth, the food, the security. It’s time to make a decision.”



Jesus looks at you directly, raises and eyebrow, and smiles.



You’ll go back home and ask your dad to take you back.  You’re willing to work for your dad like a hired hand, because your dad treats his laborers better than the farmer you’re working for now. You start the trip back home, wondering if he will take you back.”



You don’t even notice your friends around you anymore.  It’s just you.  And Jesus.



“You’re almost home.  Down the road your father sees you coming.  He runs to you, with his arms outstretched.  Tears are running down his face and yours.  You both hug one another, as you ask for forgiveness. Your dad responds with unconditional love and mercy, telling one of his ranch hands to fetch some clean clothes, new shoes, and a ring to put on your finger.  Then he instructs another to prepare the finest calf for a feast and invite everyone they know to help celebrate.”



Jesus says,



“Now imagine you are the older son, arriving in the midst of the commotion at the house.  You ask one of laborers, ‘What’s going on?’  You are told, ‘Your brother has come home, and your dad is so happy that he is throwing the biggest party he has ever had!’

‘What?!’ you respond, ‘For my brother who took off with dad's money and left me to take care of everything?’

You refuse to go into the house, your anger is so great.”



Jesus smiles with understanding at your discomfort now.  Then He goes back to His parable.



“Your father sees you outside and comes out to talk to you.  ‘Isn't it great that your brother is back?’, he asks.

To which you reply, ‘You really aren't taking him back are you?  He left us, remember?  Remember the pain, the hurt, the anger?  How can you just forget all that? I'm the one who stayed!  But you've never thrown me such an extravagant party!’

Your father looks into your eyes with the love you have recognized since the day you were born. He replies, ‘You are right, it was very painful when your brother left. But he is back now, and I want to rejoice that he finally came to his senses.  Listen, I know you have always been there for me—everything I own is yours.  Don't ever forget that.  I haven't forgotten.  But we have to celebrate and rejoice.  This brother of yours was dead and he has come back to life. He was lost and is found.’"



Jesus calls you back from the story.  He looks at you.  You look at him.

He asks you, "Which son is more like you?"