Enjoy Life, Enjoy God
LOST #3 - SON
January 1, 2014
Many of us remember Jesus' famous Parable of the Prodigal Son, the Lost Son who squanders his inheritance and his life. But sometimes it's called The Parable of the Two Sons. Which one is really lost?
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him, he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."
- --Luke 15:20 TNIV
- --Luke 15:20 TNIV
Even prior to knowing why the wastrel son returns, the father runs, he runs for his son and embraces him. The wastrel could have been coming home for more money, but they reunite and celebrate. Meanwhile the dutiful son, GoodyTwoShoes, is furious. A couple observations:
--What do we learn about God here? About God's mercy, forgiveness, God running out to us?
--Who is lost in the story? Maybe the dutiful one is as lost as any one--completely misunderstanding grace and mercy, and ...maybe the love of God.
So, who are we? Do we understand such mercy? In Christ and the Holy Spirit to whom can we, will we run out with arms opened to welcome? Maybe we discover who is really lost when we begin to answer such questions. Happy New Year!
--What do we learn about God here? About God's mercy, forgiveness, God running out to us?
--Who is lost in the story? Maybe the dutiful one is as lost as any one--completely misunderstanding grace and mercy, and ...maybe the love of God.
So, who are we? Do we understand such mercy? In Christ and the Holy Spirit to whom can we, will we run out with arms opened to welcome? Maybe we discover who is really lost when we begin to answer such questions. Happy New Year!
With Joy,
Dale Patterson