Most of us are already familiar with the story, so I won't recap the whole thing. I'll only say this - the son was so tired of living a lost and wandering life that he finally came back to his father to beg for a place among the servants. Consider what he must have put himself through as he wandered the streets, looking for a bit of food or a warm place to spend the night. Picture the humility that he would have gone through, just to eat with the pigs, because he couldn't find food enough to feed his appetite (which had dwindled considerably at this point). Imagine the rags that he wore as he approached his father to beg for mercy.
As he walks up to the father (and I consider this to be a dramatic, staggering walk with the last of his unspent energy), his face is sunken in from malnutrition and his gait has turned into a hobble. His eyes are probably tired, dry, and yet filled with tears, because he just took his first steps back onto his father's property. The servants are probably staring, knowing that they're supposed to be working, but can't help themselves. The older brother is scornful and wishes the father would just turn him away.
The humility, the pain, the guilt - all of these things weigh heavily on the prodigal son's heart. Nothing else matters, though, because just by being in the father's presence, his heart is restored. Just knowing that his father hasn't cast him away melts his sadness into even more tears of joy. Bowing before his father, he just sits and weeps with his head down around his father's feet.
But, the father says, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him."
Shock! Everyone turns to look at the father's face. Is he joking? Is this a ploy? Why would he say that? What RIGHT does this son have? He squandered his father's living! He made a mess of the family name. He doesn't deserve ANYTHING, let alone the best robe!
How does the prodigal respond? He didn't want the best robe, he just wanted something to cover him as he sleeps at night. He didn't want a ring on his finger, he just wanted a warm meal to tide him over until he could work again.
"This is sick! This is disgusting," he thought. He didn't deserve anything, let alone a place of honor among his family. "Why would my father do this? He has to be wrong. He has to be crazy!"
But, the father insisted. In fact, he turned to his manservant and gave him a well-known glare that said, "If you don't complete the task that I give to you, you can return back to the fields to work." He was completely serious and within seconds everyone rushed to comply with his command. As they brought the robe out, the father grabbed it out of their hands and bent down to kneel face-to-face with his lost son. "Get up," he said.
Not knowing any other way to respond to his father's command, he slowly rose. Joints cracking from a lack of exercise, the son stood before his father with his head bowed. The father gently placed the robe over his shoulders and straightened it as it lay there on his shallow frame. For seconds that seemed like an eternity, the son just stood there and sobbed. His shaking body could barely stand, but the father's hands upon his shoulders kept him upright.
And then, the father wrapped him in his arms. The most welcoming hug that he had ever given anyone was the breaking point for everyone in the room. All that were staring gasped in awe at what the father had just done. He had welcomed an undeserving orphan into his household - into his inheritance. The son knew, perhaps for the first time, his father's complete and undivided love.
What I find interesting about this story is the fact that God is ready to replace our filthy rags with the best robe. He desires to wrap us in His arms and just welcome us into His inheritance. If I knew what it was like to allow God that full and complete place in my own life, I'd express it. All I know is that I spend most of my time waiting on the outskirts of my Father's property, unwilling to take that first step. My fear, my guilt, my shame all keep me from walking into His presence.
Doesn't He deserve more? Wait! Bryan, you're asking the wrong question. Shouldn't you have asked if WE deserve more? No! God deserves our love. He deserves our undivided attention. After all, we are placed on this earth to glorify Him. Nothing else matters. So, rather than sitting in our guilt and shame, isn't it time for us to step into His presence and just allow Him to protect and guide us?
It's just something I struggle with. What about you?
No comments:
Post a Comment