I had the opportunity this past Sunday to preach. The text for the message was Luke 15 where Jesus confronts the Pharisees and Scribes for their grumbling that Jesus was not only receiving sinners and tax collectors but he was also eating with them.
Jesus confronts them with three parables about something lost, the ensuing search, finding the lost item and the great rejoicing that takes place. The first story is about a lost sheep, the second is about a lost coin and the last one, the one that was specifically aimed at the religious, self-righteous hypocrites was about a lost son.
This last story is not only about the prodigal (sinners and tax collectors) or his older brother (Pharisees and Scribes) but more importantly it is about the father and his love for both the sinner and religious. Both of these sons did not love the father. The prodigal wished him dead and the other brother was in bondage to rules and self-serving obedience. Neither were healthy relationships and yet the father is loving, patient, kind and forgiving towards both.
There have been times when I have been the prodigal; not wanting to be controlled or be under the authority of my heavenly Father. There have been times when I played the legalistic religious person and obeyed out of duty or to gain some selfish end or only those who met my standard were "approved". Both extremes are lifeless, sad, lonely, and disobedient ways of living. What is best is to realize how much we are loved by God and live in His presence, eating His bread, being protected by His power and enjoying His great love for us.
No matter if you are the prodigal or the legalist, God loves you both; you just can't stay there. Repent and turn to God and you will find Him right there; full of compassion, forgiveness and restoration.
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