We came home to Newaygo from Nigeria at the beginning of May. How sweet it is to sit on our deck at Heaven High. How difficult it is, the people we miss in Niger State! We came home on time, we did not know but I was told I had experienced a heart attack, I felt something was wrong. The cardiologist said “you are here on time and you are going to the hospital now!” The main artery to my left ventricle was 99% blocked. They repaired the blockage with two stints. Nothing short of a miracle: not only the repair but that I survived with that much blockage. It gives new meaning to the statement that life is short and we need to use the life God gives us for his honor and glory. That is what we do but now with much more thanksgiving! Did we feel welcome coming home? Yes! New Community Church was praying for us and thankful along with us, the medical care was excellent from Dr. Olivera to the doctors at the Grand Rapids Heart Center and at Spectrum Hospital. When we left the hospital the next day after the procedure our nurse prayed with us.
It felt like home when NCCN asked me to stand in for a guest pastor who became ill on the morning of Father’s Day. I picked “The Parable of the Lost Son” Luke 14: 11-31. Jesus tells this parable along with two others “The Parable of the lost Sheep” and “The Parable of the Lost Coin” in response to verses 1 and 2 of Chapter 15 in the gospel of Luke. 1.” Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.” 2. “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.
” The painting “The return of the Prodigal Son” 1669 by Rembrandt, he had sketched and painted this theme since 1636, ( See Wikipedia) is the culmination of his life’s work, he died two years later.
Look at the painting closely. The book: The Return of the Prodigal Son. A Story of Homecoming. by Henri Nouwen is his response after days of sitting in front of and studying this painting. His first response when seeing it: “It’s beautiful, more than beautiful . . . it makes me want to cry and laugh at the same time . . . I can’t tell you what I feel as I look at it. But it touches me deeply.” p. 4 prologue.
Lets look at the Father. His stance, one of humility and compassion and vulnerability. His masculine hand is on the son’s shoulder, a fathers touch, the famine hand on his back gentle, and affirming, a mother’s touch. The father is not alone. There is a woman standing behind him, most people think it is the mother and is supporting the father. The son is humble, submissive, on his knees but before the son can say a word the father excepts him, is hugging him and ordering his reinstatement. The son is raged, shoes worn out, his head looks wet like a new born child. It is a new birth for him yet he has held unto something of his former position he still has his sword. The other two figures are much different then those described so far. One is a servant, the man sitting. The other appears to be the older brother. Both have there hands tucked away obviously not willing to reach out. The Son stance is rigid, condemning and disapproving of the whole scene in front of him. Given the situation who should we identify with? Of course we identify with the son on his knees receiving forgiveness and acceptance from the Father even after his bad choices and subsequent sin. That is all of us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ” Romans 3:22-24.
Once we are forgiven by the Father and accepted we are not only free but are to be like the Father. Is not the church the body of Jesus in the right here and now of our lives? Yes! Like the prodigal son forgiven, our transgressions remembered no more. We are called to be as the Father to forgive and accept each other and those like us, sinners, forgiven sinners. The older son is much like religion today hands tucked away obviously not willing to reach out. The Son stance is rigid, condemning and disapproving of the whole scene in front of him. He did not squander God’s blessings, he did not leave the church. he works hard and continues to do so, like so many church members, leaders and pastors but we are missing out on the celebration of new life! We want salvation our way but the Father is the example. Jesus tells this parable for the church today. God says to us 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Praise be to God!
Heavenhigh 