For us, the story of the two sons – presents a relatively simple choice.
“Results” are more important than “appearances.”
But just so you know and are aware – it wasn’t always so….
Sometimes, “appearances” were more important than “the actual results.”
Now some might say: The “older son” was the “better son” because he was honest and straightforward with his answer. After all, he relented and he ultimately obeyed his father.
The “younger son” lied to his father’s face – to save his own face. His motives we might say were dubious. He said one thing and did another.
The older son was more moral. The younger son, not so much…
But that is only ONE WAY of looking at this parable.
It could be interpreted “otherwise.”
For the culture at the time of Jesus – they placed “MUCH MORE EMPHASIS” on “one’s reputation” than we do.
Which is not to say – that reputations are not important, I am not saying that at all! Because I believe your reputation is very important. You obviously want to have a good reputation and you want to be spoken well of…
It is that it is NOT AS IMPORTANT as it was in Jesus’ day and time. Reputation was everything…even if it was phony.
Because it was an “honor/shame society” – everything was about the “honor of the elder.” Even if, it was based on lies…
One’s placement in society was based on ones honor. He was respected or not respected based on what his family said and did. …By how well he was listened to… But appearances were everything.
In a small community atmosphere in Palestine, everyone knew everyone else’s business. They knew everything!!!
Word spread quickly. Word always managed to get around. The choices of the sons would soon become “public knowledge” – through the “gossip grapevine.”
They would have had a completely different take or spin on this parable then we would have.
Believe it or not – the “denial” of the older son – would have caused the poor father “great embarrassment.” It would actually affect his standing in the community. He was shamed by the older son’s response.
His first born son, his heir – was disobedient to his father. This kind of behavior was not tolerated. It is the disobedience of the older son that affects the father’s standing in the community.
The younger son who boldly lied to his father’s face – at least showed some deference to the father’s position. It was the younger son – who although he lied – honored his father’s standing in the community.
He was after all, obedient to the will of his father.
When his father said, “Go” – he said, “He would go,” even though he had no intention whatsoever of doing so!
In the mind of all those hearing Jesus’ story they would have thought that the “younger son” – was the “better son.”
Whereas we might think just the opposite! We would say – your “actions” speak louder than your “words.”
“Show me, don’t tell me!” Words can mean nothing.
For the Jews at the time, it was just the opposite, “Tell me what I want to hear, tell me what I need to hear – your actions are not as important.”
This was the case with the Pharisees, Sadducees, Priests and Scribes…they were notorious for telling people WHAT TO DO and then doing the exact opposite. They were so immersed in their own self importance that they “could not” or WOULD NOT entertain the possibility of “true moral change.”
They saw nothing wrong with their behavior. They said the right words. They just did not do the right things…
In other words, they said one thing and did another. They were hypocrites through and through…
And that was the reason that Jesus told them – that the Prostitutes and Sinners would see the Kingdom of Heaven – long before they ever did!!!!
At least sinners and prostitutes might “say” the wrong things or “do” the wrong things – but at least they were “open to changing their behaviors…”
The Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees and the Priestly elite were not!!!
They were fine, with both what they said and did. They were above change. And Jesus called them out!
Now what about us, are we above changing, as well?