The Butler

It was early, very early in the morning. The butler always has to wake up earlier than the family. He has to prepare the meals for the day, and he has to wash the clothes and robes of the family. He prepares the coffee, he cleans the mansion and gets it in excellent condition. He is in charge of the entire staff. He oversees the animals on the property, takes care of them and makes sure they’re well fed. There is one animal that the master gave specific instructions to feed more than the others. The butler didn’t really understand why the master wanted this specific animal to be fed more, but he obeyed the master and did as he said. Also the master requested that the butler keep this specific animal separate than all the others. So the butler did as the master said and kept this animal in a completely separate barn from the others.

When the butler is finished with all his morning duties, the master and his family wake up. The father wakes up and puts on his favorite robe, the butler noticed that the master was wearing this one more often lately. “Why are you wearing your favorite robe again today, master” the butler said. “Because I just have a good feeling about today, so it gets my best robe”, said the master. However, the butler has heard the master say that multiple times, and isn’t sure what he meant by that, but the butler doesn’t pry. When the master is dressed and ready for the day, he proceeds to his favorite chair on his front porch. He goes out there every morning, and the butler brings him his favorite coffee, freshly brewed. The butler notices the master frequently get up from his chair and pace on his front porch and be intently looking at the outskirts of his land. The butler never questioned why the master did this, he just figured he was admiring his land and watching over it.

The son of the house rises from his sleep and quickly heads to the field, and begins to tend to it. He usually works from 10-12 hours every day. He tends to the soil and cares for the crops of the field. It was easier when his brother was there to help him, however his brother moved out of the house awhile back. So, alot of the work was left to him. And he worked faithfully everyday, and the butler would go and bring him water and fresh squeezed lemonade often throughout the day.

A long hot day passes, the master of the house did his daily reading and checking in on his son. And then went in for dinner as the butler was preparing one of their favorite meals. The son walks into the house covered in dirt and sweat with a noticeably hard working day completed. He walks past the dinner table frustrated and didn’t acknowledge his father. He grabs his meal and proceeds to take it to enjoy in another part of the home. The butler serves the master and the master is very pleased with the meal, so he gives the butler the rest of the night off to rest.

The butler goes and reflects on his days and he is proud of the work he has done for the master and his family. He says his prayers and heads to bed to get some well deserved rest and prepare for another long day tomorrow.

It was about 4 AM and the butler rose from his sleep and began his work as usual. He repeated his routine every morning. Prepared the meals, prepared the outfits for the family, got the coffee ready, checked on the animals, checked on the special animal that gets fed more. also made sure the estate was in great condition. The master and his family wake up, and begin their day just like any other. The master again puts on his favorite robe and reminds the butler it is for special occasions. The butler nods in ignorant obedience. And the master goes to the porch to sit at his favorite chair where the butler brings his favorite coffee.

Again, the master gets up frequently and paces the porch looking intently far in the distance at the outskirts of the land. All the while the butler waiting for demands or requests. As the day passed the butler began to tidy up the house some more.

Out of the corner of the butlers eyes he could see the master jump out of his chair and he heard the master make a noise of excitement. Th butler quickly ran to the master and before he could make it to the master to see if everything was okay, the master began running down the path to the outskirts of the property. The butler assumed something must be wrong, he’s never seen the master run like this before. The butler quickly hurried after him and repeatedly shouts to the master to see what was the matter. As the butler looks up to see what the master is running after, he sees a person that is dirty and in ragged clothes. Surely this person must be lost, the butler thought. But why would the master be running after him?

The master reaches the stranger and falls into his body and begins to kiss his neck and hug him tightly. The butler finally catches up to the master and this meeting with the stranger, finally the butler realizes that this stranger was actually the master’s son. This was the son that moved out awhile back, and they haven’t heard from since.

The son began to speak, “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his butler, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it.”

Before the butler could even fathom what just happened he was given these orders. He couldn’t believe his eyes, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He knew what the son did to his master, he took half of his money and left and now he wants back in the family? The butler couldn’t believe the masters reaction. He reacted with so much love and so much grace. And that fattened calf that the master had him preparing all this time was for this? The return of his son? The butler was absolutely shocked by this.

“Quick, the master said. “Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate!

The butler took the son, and dressed him in the finest robe the family had. And the butler put the family ring on his finger, and washed his feet. As he was washing the sons feet, the butler said “I am so in awe of how your father has responded to you coming back and welcoming you back with open arms after what you’ve done”. The son looked into the butlers eyes also with a surprised look and said “me too”.

As the party began and the celebration was happening, and he saw the enormous smile on the masters face, The butler recalled all of those mornings the master putting his favorite robe on. He realized because every day he was doing that, he was expectant that hopefully that day would be the day his son would return, and he wanted to be his best dressed for the occasion. He recalled all of those days the master was on the front porch pacing and looking, realizing he was waiting and looking for his son the whole time. The revelations continued when he thought this entire time, the master was having him prepare this specific calf for the celebration for when his son would return. As he paused and watched the celebration, he realized what he witnessed first hand, he witnessed an unconditional love and an unending grace. And from that day forward, the butler was forever changed by what he just witnessed.

•••••••

When I read this story of the prodigal son, I always think about eye witnesses. I think about that when Jesus walked the earth, and people seeing first hand his amazing love and grace. And in this parable, I think about what it would be like to be eye witness to this unbelievable show of love and grace. To be one of the servants and seeing first hand what the son did to his father in the parable and being a witness of the father showing unconditional love when the son returned. Because Grace is one of the most amazing things in life that can’t fully be explained. Why show unconditional grace when someone turns their back on you or wrongs you. Jesus knew what he was doing when he told this parable. He wanted to show the heart of the father. God is the God of unconditional grace. No matter how far someone can go, God will always be waiting with open arms full of grace.