Now, That Makes No Sense At All!

“Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.” And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So, he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

“‘But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father 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 fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate.

“‘Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.” But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, “Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!” And he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”’” [1]

Have you ever done something that makes no sense whatsoever? If you’ve ever done something that made no sense, you will know what I’m talking about. I suspect that each of us, if we permit ourselves to be brutally honest, will be forced to admit that we have done something, likely many things, that make no sense at all. Even years after we have done that thing, it still makes no sense.

It makes no sense to own a brand-new F-150 Limited, and not have enough money to buy fuel for that fine pickup. It makes no sense to have five-hundred-dollar running shoes and yet be afraid to wear them outside. It makes no sense to have a new five-bedroom house and not be able to pay the hydro bill or the gas bill. It makes no sense to live in a one-bedroom walk-up efficiency apartment and drive a Mercedes Benz.

It makes no sense to enjoy the fruits of a capitalistic economy while demanding that the government adopt socialism to ensure financial equality rather than equality of opportunity. It makes no sense to demand universal medical care and then complain that your taxes rise to pay for what you demanded. That makes no sense at all!

It makes no sense to gossip about the flaws of others. You know that when you’re no longer hanging around with those rascals, they’re going to gossip about you. It makes no sense to hang around people who simply don’t like you. No matter what you do, they won’t like you!

It makes no sense to be envious of what God has done for someone else, when the same God is able, and always stands ready to do the same thing for you. It makes no sense to claim that God will carry your heavy load and then refuse to allow Him to do so. It makes no sense to claim that God answers prayer and then fail to ask Him to supply your needs. It makes no sense to say that the Lord will forgive you for sins you committed in the past and then continue to plead with Him to forgive you. It makes no sense to testify that you are saved and then live like the devil. That makes no sense at all.