The readings for tomorrow, March 18 are:Old Testament: Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm: Psalm 32
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3,11b-32
Epistle: II Corinthians 5:16-21
Click here to read them.
Reconciliation
I was in discussion this week with some elders in the Church of the Nazarene, mulling over the scripture for tomorrow, particularly the parable of the loving father (most often referred to as the parable of the prodigal son). We were talking about how most of us don't call it that today ("the prodigal son") as it really is a story of three people - a father and his love for two sons. The parable really focuses on what the father does in response to both of his sons, not just what happens to the younger son.
Anyway, as we discussed this, one of the elders proposed that we call it "the prodigal father," at which right away, I was confused. I corrected her, thinking that she mean the loving father, and she said, "No, I mean the prodigal father." We talked about the meaning of the word 'prodigal' at this point.
The word 'prodigal' actually isn't even in the parable. It's a word that has been used to identify the parable over the years. Since the two parables right before this one are "the lost sheep" and "the lost coin," many think of 'prodigal' as meaning 'lost,' but it actually has a meaning of 'wastefully extravagant.'
So when the elder had suggested this, I reacted defensively with my "great knowledge" of the word. We can't call God wasteful, right?
The parable (along with the two preceding it) is best told when we keep in mind to whom and when Jesus told it. Some people were apparently upset with Jesus, as a religious leader and rabbi, for hanging out and eating with sinners and tax collectors. So while they are whining about this, Jesus approaches them and tells them the three parables. He tells the parables of "lost and found" - indeed of reconciliation - in response to their disapproval of his union with sinners.
So when we get to the the parable of the loving father, Jesus demonstrates to us the love of God the Father for all his "sons", and indeed we know, for all his children.
This love has no limit or boundary - at what point did the Father ever stop loving either of his sons?
This love goes beyond the mistakes of the loved - did the Father's love stop or even decrease at the sin of his sons?
This love is indeed extravagant - to what lengths did the Father demonstrate to his younger son how much he loved him when he returned?
And this love appears to many to be wasteful - how did those accusing Jesus think of his time spent with sinners and how did the the older son feel about the Father's response to the younger son?
God's love for us is indeed extravagant, and to those who haven't yet chosen to truly accept his love, what he does for the sinful (which actually includes all of us, despite how some of us think of ourselves sometimes) seems wasteful - a waste of time, effort, and resources.
When I really stop to think about it, I'm thankful God's extravagant with his love.
Rembrandt's "Return of the Prodigal Son" is a well-known painting. Henri Nouwen wrote a whole book drawn from his experience with the painting. One-third of the results of a Google image search of "the prodigal son" show Rembrandt's painting. Take a look at it for a while (click on it to see a larger version).As you prepare to worship tomorrow, focusing on the love of God the Father as the means to reconciliation, see what you notice in the passage itself and in this painting.
Personally - what does it take to comprehend the love of God? Or, what do we do to experience God's love?
In relationships - what do we need to do to bring about reconciliation - either as the offended or the offender?
As a community - what do we need to do to bring about reconciliation in the world?
I look forward to worshiping with you all tomorrow.
