The difference between Mercy and Grace? Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance. Grace gave him a feast.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Max Lucado
Few parables, if any, have generated as much confusion and angst as the parable of the Prodigal Son. Younger son takes his inheritance and leaves home, while his older brother stays behind and helps their father run the family farm. Younger brother behaves badly, goes broke, and returns home, begging simply to be "put on the payroll" as a hired hand. But his father rejoices, and throws a party. Well, surprise surprise, the older brother does not understand and is thoroughly angered and filled with resentment.
We tend to see this parable as some kind of counter-intuitive instruction manual for child-raising. It isn't. It is instead a tale to illustrate the boundless nature of God's love for His creations, that His open arms will always take us back in. How then do we apply that to our lives? Allen Jones once told me about his "making amends" tour, where he went back to his family of origin to ask for their forgiveness, and to introduce them to the new Allen. It took some time, he said, but it was time well spent, on the path to reconciliation.
Which character(s) have we been? The Father? The Prodigal? The older brother?
Blessings my friends.
NT
Luke 15: 11-32
In memory of Allen Jones, who found his way home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Max Lucado
Few parables, if any, have generated as much confusion and angst as the parable of the Prodigal Son. Younger son takes his inheritance and leaves home, while his older brother stays behind and helps their father run the family farm. Younger brother behaves badly, goes broke, and returns home, begging simply to be "put on the payroll" as a hired hand. But his father rejoices, and throws a party. Well, surprise surprise, the older brother does not understand and is thoroughly angered and filled with resentment.
We tend to see this parable as some kind of counter-intuitive instruction manual for child-raising. It isn't. It is instead a tale to illustrate the boundless nature of God's love for His creations, that His open arms will always take us back in. How then do we apply that to our lives? Allen Jones once told me about his "making amends" tour, where he went back to his family of origin to ask for their forgiveness, and to introduce them to the new Allen. It took some time, he said, but it was time well spent, on the path to reconciliation.
Which character(s) have we been? The Father? The Prodigal? The older brother?
Blessings my friends.
NT
Luke 15: 11-32
In memory of Allen Jones, who found his way home.
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