Monday, March 24, 2014

Returning Home


"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. 
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 15:17-20 NIV)

We pick this up in the middle of the story.  The younger son had demanded his share of the inheritance from his father long before he was dead, had taken the money and squandered it all on lavish living, and now he was broke.  Having come to his senses and realizing the desperateness of his situation, he decides to go back home.  Smartly, he decides to make no claims on his old room.  He will gladly sleep out back with the servants.  

When we come to the realization we have messed up, we instinctively know our unworthiness before God.  Like Adam and Eve in the garden, we feel the shame.  It is what we do with that shame that makes the difference.  

The Enemy will seek to reinforce our shame.  He will try to convince us we have truly blown it and now there is no going home.  If we try, there will be no warm greeting, only a stern lecture and a room out back.  And we would expect nothing else because that’s the way it should be. Actions have consequences.  If we screw up, we deserve what we get.

That’s the Enemy’s view anyway, and, probably, yours as well.  It’s what makes sense and is fair.  But it’s also hopeless.  No chance for redemption.  No chance of ever returning to the family.  As my mom used to say, “You made your bed; now sleep in it.”

I know, and have known, students who come to college and decide to go their own way.  Like the son in this story, they grew tired of living under what they perceived as the constraints of the Christian life.  They wanted to be free to live as they please and they have.  But there always comes a point where they have (or will) come to their senses and realize they have wasted their inheritance.  They are filled with shame and regret, and, likely, hopelessness.   They made their bed; now they get to sleep in it.

Yet, this is why Jesus told the story—to give hope to those who have messed up.  You can go home again!  Your Heavenly Father anxiously awaits your return.  No lecture is waiting, only a warm embrace.  You won’t have to endure the second-class status of a household servant. You will be welcomed back as a member of the family.  

Today, know Jesus has made it possible to return home to the Heavenly Father no matter how badly you have messed up.  

© Jim Musser 2014

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