 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Jesus' story we call the Prodigal
Son is really the story of a father two sons. The younger son
requested a division of property, essentially a division of the family.
In effect, he was declaring his father dead and requesting that the will
be enforced. Then the boy left home and lived the high life in a
foreign land. When the money was all spent and
famine came to that land, the boy was destitute. His physical
status had become so precarious that death was a real possibility.
He also began to face the reality that he was dead to his family as a
result of his own actions. Desperately, he looked for a way
out. He would go to his father and ask to be taken back as hired
servant! Approaching the house, his father ran to meet him and
embraced him in love. The son got out just the first line of his
prepared speech before his father interrupted him: "Father, I am
no longer worthy to be called your son." He was right.
A father in that culture would have
been completely justified in throwing him out, but this father acted with grace
and love. He also acted with wisdom. By
acknowledging that this son had indeed died to his family, the father was able
to celebrate his full restoration as a son - not as a hired servant.
The older brother was not so hospitable. This is a story of
grace, hospitality, and resurrection. We experience death in many forms as
we journey through life. When the son betrayed his father in
Jesus' story, he essentially declared his father dead. When the
son used up his inheritance in reckless living and found himself destitute and
homeless, he experienced that as a death. New life only became
possible for both when the father, who had every right to judge and condemn,
actually gave up that right and welcomed the son back. The
offering and receiving of grace made that new life possible. I am
reminded of three important aspects of our faith: 1.
Death is the gateway to new
life. This includes the idea of dying to self in order to be open
to receive new life. It was the father who named the son's death
and who received him alive again. The younger son was able to
accept this second chance at life. The older brother struggled
with his own grief and was not able to embrace his brother's
resurrection. 2.
Grace is more powerful than
judgment. The grace of the betrayed father and the younger son's
openness to be forgiven brought them reconciliation and new life.
The judgmental attitude of the older brother stood in the way of
embracing his own grief and the new life that was available to him.
3.
Hospitality is love in
action. Whenever we are free enough to welcome not only the
stranger, but also the one who has done us wrong, then we are free indeed and
fully alive. Thanks for continuing to bless me as
we journey together. |
Home | The Journey | The Arts | Community | Children and Youth | Worship
|
