Black Sheep

Page 10 | www.BlackSheepHDFC.org SubScribe by calling: (951) 777-0503 or click THe link belOW: https://wheelsofgrace.com/product/more-than-a-subscription/ MAGAZINE Published & Printed in the USA Marty Edwards/Luke 15 The Bible is organized into chapters and verses and o en have sub- tles such as, "The Sermon on the Mount" or "The Great Commission." John 3:16 (i.e. the book of John, chapter three, verse sixteen) is likely the best known verse in the Bible. What's important to note, is that these helps (chapters, verses and sub tles) are NOT a part of the inspired scriptures, but were added years later to help readers navigate the scriptures. (Just imagine trying to find your favorite quote from War and Peace without a page number.) It's interes ng how sub tles, chapters and verses can prejudice a reader's percep on of a story. For instance, most of us have probably heard a reference to "the prodigal son." (Luke 15) Note: the word "prodigal" does not exists in the text, but what exactly is a "prodigal?" The dic onary defines prodigal as someone who is, "wasteful, reckless, and extravagant." In Luke 15 there is indeed a story about a rebellious and dissa sfied son who leaves home for a "be er" life and in doing so disrespects and shames his own family, especially his father. In that culture, such a wayward son was to be considered dead to the family and the community. The problem is, there were two prodigals in this tale. As the story goes, the son takes his inheritance (which was not usually received un l the death of the father), abandons his family and goes to a "distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living." (Later in the story the bi er older brother accuses his younger sibling of sleeping with "harlots" but the record simply says "wild living." That could have been money spent on concerts, movies and popcorn for all we know – but people like to assume the worst and most colorful scenario. In either case, the so-called prodigal son was indeed "wasteful, reckless, and extravagant." As I said, there was a second prodigal in this story. The elder brother? No, quite the contrary. He may have been a jealous, bi er jerk – but he was anything but "wasteful, reckless, and extravagant." In fact, he was likely a "type A" with a strong work ethic. The second prodigal is the father. Surrendering to his wild son's wishes was a "wasteful, reckless, and extravagant" thing to do. Later, when the wild son returned having spent his en re inheritance, the prodigal father was once again "wasteful, reckless, and extravagant" with his mercy. It says in Luke 15:20 that the father "ran" to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." What may appear to you and me as compassion, would have been considered by the community and the eldest son as foolishness! It was undignified for a Jewish elder to "run" anywhere! It just wasn't done! Secondly, this young man was The Prodigal FaTher "unclean!" He had been with Gen les and pigs and reportedly, "harlots!" Thirdly, this young man was DEAD to the family and NOT to be forgiven – at least not so quickly! What a "wasteful, reckless, and extravagant" display of emo on wasted on such an unworthy scoundrel! The father gave his son a robe, signifying that he was now home! He put a ring on his son's finger signifying that he was once again a member of the family. He put sandals on his son's feet, signifying he was not a slave, for only a slave would have gone about barefoot – and he extravagantly killed the fa ened calf as a message to everyone that this was indeed not a me for shame and condemna on – but celebra on. Each of these ac ons by the father was perceived to be wasteful, reckless, and extravagant. Some of us have been rebellious. Some have run away from parents, or responsibili es, or families. We may have squandered our "wealth" and health on the fast and the flirta ous. We may have abandoned the faith of our childhood to follow some lesser god, but so was our Father in Heaven! With reckless extravagance God poured out His love and mercy on us and threw a robe of forgiveness and righteousness over our shoulders. Now, let's return to the 21st century for a moment. What would you say, if today Adolf Hitler or serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer were alive – and in jail? Word is, they have truly repented of their horrendous sins and have surrendered their hearts to Christ? Would God forgive them? Would you? The state would be bound to follow through with a legal sentence, but know this…if they were sincere, their Father in Heaven would forgive them of every insane, vulgar, brutal deed, and a er their earthy execu on, they would be welcomed into Heaven alongside of Billy Graham and Mother Teresa. "Are you kidding me!" you say? "That's just irresponsible and reckless! That goes against EVERYTHING our country calls jus ce!" There would be rio ng in the streets! There would be marches and protes ng! Social media would be ablaze! Jesus told us this story to the people then and to us today to illustrate how amazing His grace. We can sulk with the elder brother or celebrate with the Father. The choice is ours.

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