Forgiveness Is A Gift. Don’t Turn It Into A Weapon.

Sometimes, in my mind’s eye, I like to conceive of what I call Biblical deleted scenes … moments or vignettes that run parallel to well-known Biblical stories, but with extra possible details that might not have gotten recorded in the original narrative.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Jesus’ parable of the Lost Son. I call him the lost son because, well, who says “prodigal” anymore except to refer to this passage?

(It’s Luke 15:11–32 if you want to refresh your memory.)

Anyway… I wonder what the neighbors would’ve thought of the whole affair?

In the story, the son who’d spent his inheritance wildin’ out and having nothing to show for it, finally comes to his senses and returns home. And his gracious, loving father announces plans to kill the fattened calf and have a party. So you gotta think that several neighbors must’ve been invited to the party, right?

And I know that this story took place in a different culture than 21st century America, but if it would’ve happened today, I think that some of those neighbors might’ve had mixed feelings. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure…