This Sunday’s gospel reading is Luke 15:1-32. Most Christians are very familiar with these verses which are parables about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to listen to Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees were complaining saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them”. However, Jesus Christ did not come to save the self-righteous; he came to save sinners and to heal the sick (both spiritually and physically).
In my Christian walk, I have been a very stubborn child of God. I have a great tendency to wander away and wallow in the sins of the world. Many times, it has caused my relationship with God to be non-existent. However, as I sit and look back over my life from the time I accepted Christ into my heart and was baptized at the age of 8 until now, I can see how God pursued me each time I walked away from Him.
There were times my wanderings lasted days, sometimes weeks, and one period of time, I walked away for 10 years. But still God pursued me. It still amazes me how God loves me enough to do whatever it takes to get me back in relationship with Him. Some ways have been interesting, some comical, and some were very painful.
Looking at the story of the prodigal son, it is the perfect picture of repentance and reconciliation with God, the center of which is the Merciful Father. First, you have the sinner who is fascinated by the illusory freedom of sin, followed by abandonment of his father’s house, then eventually followed by extreme misery and humiliation. At this point, the sinner can start to see what all he has lost in leaving the father and the process of reconciliation can begin. You have the journey back to the father and the sinner declares himself guilty before the father and repents (turns away) from his sin. The father is joyful to have his son (child of God) back. There is great joy in heaven!
In the story of the prodigal son, the son is given a robe, a ring, and a festive banquet upon his return – symbols of the new life: pure, worthy, joyful.
Another reading this Sunday is 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Paul says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
Sometimes it is hard for us humans to believe that God loves us unconditionally as much as He does. We judge ourselves by human standards. I thank God that He is not like his creation and is merciful and will pursue us when we wander away. If you have wandered away from your relationship with God, come back today. Repent, Confess, Be Reconciled.
Beautifully said.