The GODfather

An old, white haired man sits in a metal chair in the front yard of a Sicilian villa. It appears to be about midday and he just sits there quietly. Suddenly he grabs at his chest in apparent pain, wrenches forward, and falls out of the chair onto the dirt. No one rushes to his assistance. No one cries over his demise. As the lights slowly dim, the familiar strains of a haunting theme song are heard in the background.

Almost everyone will recognize that as a description of the final scene in Godfather III. Michael Corleone, once the most powerful Mafia Don in New York, dies as a recluse, alone and forgotten, self-exiled in Sicily. For decades he ruled: the Corleone family as its violent, ruthless Godfather. He took brutal revenge on anyone he perceived as his enemy, including family members, and disowned people he felt crossed him, even his own wife.

The Corleone family is a dog eat dog system filled with anger, pride, betrayal, and focused on greed, wealth and the acquisition of power at all cost. It's a place where everyone keeps watch over their shoulder, and no one is safe, not even children. There is no room for individuality, creativity, or differences of opinion. The Godfather’s will is all-pervasive and governs everyone's life.

Contrast the Corleone family with this family. A father has 2 sons and his younger son, who is quite full of himself, decides he wants to go “do his own thing.” He is so self-centered and brash that he goes to his father, demanding him to finance the venture by giving him his inheritance in advance. Although the father can predict the outcome, he calmly grants his son the request. He respects his young son enough to allow him to make his own decisions, and doesn't force his will upon him.

The younger son moves to a major city and immediately begins living “the high life.” He has a luxurious penthouse apartment, wears designer clothes, is chauffeured in a limo, and always has a beautiful woman draped on his arm. Things couldn't be better and life couldn't be sweeter! He never thinks about his father, thanks him or even returns his phone calls.

Eventually the son runs out of money, friends, clothes, and wheels. He is homeless, and eats his meals at a local rescue mission. The only job he can get is night janitor at seedy nightclub. He spends his time sweeping broken glass, mopping up spilled beer, and cleaning vomit out of the latrines. He has lots of time to think about home, and to realize how good he had it when he was living there.

He decides to return home, determined to be grateful for the most menial job in the family business. Can you imagine how this son would be welcomed by the Corleone family? He’d probably be shot at first sight! But this father has a different idea of what being a father is all about. In fact he is been looking and eagerly waiting for his younger son to return every day. When he sees his son walking up the driveway, he runs to him and embraces him, kissing him repeatedly. Without reservation, this father immediately reinstates his son to his former place in the family and throws a big party to welcome him home.

Many of you have heard this story before. It's referred to as the Prodigal Son, and was told by Jesus to help us understand how Father God, the true GODfather loves each one of us, and welcomes us to His family. (Luke 15:11–32)

Let me ask you a question. Which Godfather would you prefer to have?

Come join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM. We will continue our discussion on “The Christlike Family,” and discover the type of family created by the true GODfather.