Luke Chapter 15
The Pharisees started grumbling…
Once again, they are witnessing Jesus behaving in a way they
consider is undesirable – in a way that contravenes the Law. Not God’s law. But
the law that has grown up around God’s instructions, received via Moses – and now,
adjusted and amended and changed beyond all recognition into something much
more than the original. From the grumbling comes the accusations: you can’t be
a man of God if you welcome these undesirables into your company; you can’t be
a man of the law if you disregard the rules; you can’t be a holy one if you don’t
even recognise the basics of our belief…
So, Jesus being Jesus, lands them with another teaching
example – another set of parables. He may break rules – man-made rules; but,
God’s concern is with the gathering in of the lost things… little by little,
one by one, each cast out person is told they are loved, and made to feel
welcome in the kingdom. On the face of it, the parables seem to be about losing
things; the fact is, they are about the exact opposite, they are about finding precious
things that were lost, but are now restored. And, of course, the parables aren’t
really, about sheep, coins and sons at all either!
These three parables aren't about losing things...they are
about the determination of God. Determination for reconciliation, between us
and God as illustrated in the first two parables; and reconciliation in
God-centred community/family as illustrated in the third parable.
The first two parables do not seem logical – you have 99 of
100 sheep – yet, you’ll abandon the others to find the one – how does that make
sense?
You have 9 of 10 silver coins – and then when you find it,
you throw a big party to celebrate – spending money you don’t have!
How does that make sense?
That’s the crux of the story – God’s love and grace are
lavish and generous and without limit. They don’t have to make sense; they don’t
have to be logical – God’s love in its purest form is absurd! And that, that is
a wondrous gift for each of us.
For it means God puts no limit on the opportunities for grace
in our lives; God put no conditions; no restrictions – love and grace are
freely available.
The third story is different; the father and the sons. The son
is not lost accidentally; it is a deliberate act of defiance.
Yet, in spite of this betrayal; on the son’s return the
father is waiting for him; more, looking out for him; more still, runs to greet
and embrace him, enveloping him in his arms and celebrating his return.
The son has been foolish; and disrespectful; he has certainly
broken all the rules; he knows this, and is ready to confess his mistakes, to
seek forgiveness – but the father doesn’t listen to the prepared speech; the
very fact that the son has taken the first step is enough. He is welcomed home.
Both sons however, need redemption. The second son, the one
who was loyal and hardworking; the one who respected his father, and conformed
to tradition, was outraged. His anger is directed at both his father and his
brother. He feels that his father is favouring his brother over him; he cannot understand
why someone so undeserving is being treated so royally.
This is the brother I can identify with!
Perhaps he is the one we can all identify with. For if we
truly view the sons as humanity; and the Father as God; if we view working the
farm as life; this means that all those people who are lazy and unthinking; all
those who do terrible things, will be welcomed home if they return.
It is important to know that the father did not send out
search parties; he did not set out to find the boy; but, as soon as he knew he
was coming he ran forward to pull him home.
It is part of the human condition, that we seek forgiveness,
work hard to share the gospel – live our lives as faithfully as we can. It is
also part of the human condition to look at others and judge – we can’t help
it.
Time and again in our current political climate I look at
what is happening both here and around the world, and I am horrified, afraid,
concerned and distressed at the way people are treated; at the way power is wielded;
at the way people of power are behaving.
And yet, there is a small voice, whispering in my ear and
reminding me: he too is a beloved child of God; she is known and cherished; he
belongs in God’s family.
And I, like the older son, feel fury and indignation! How can
this be?
And I hear again those words of the father in the parable
“We have to celebrate and be glad,
for this brother of yours was dead and is now alive; he was lost and is now
found”.
God loves us
And God loves those we do not love; do not trust; do not
value.
Everyone
Everyone has the chance to reflect and turn; and when they
do, the father will be waiting to welcome them home.
Because God does not follow man made rules; God’s rules do
not exclude – they bestow hope to every child of God.
And that is worth celebrating!
Amen
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| Brodick Beach, Isle of Arran (JRen 2017) |
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