July 7: Affirming His Grace.
HIS RECEPTION.
"While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."--Luke 15:20
Many years ago, I was in an antique store, admiring the display of several small items from the first century of the Christian era, when something caught my attention. I came upon a whole section of signet rings, instruments of choice to stamp the family's name on important documents. I bought one to use as a visual aid in my talks. The signet ring always reminds me of the grace of God, which is bigger than all of our failures. Let me tell you why.
Jesus was being friendly with sinners, and the religious leaders of the people did not like it. So, they grumbled about it (Luke 15:2). In response to this complaint, Jesus told three parables about lostness: one out of a hundred sheep (verses 4-7), one out of ten coins (verses 8-10), and one out of two sons (verses 11-32) all get lost. This is how the third story starts: "A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them" (verses 11, 12). And just like that, the younger son left his father, and squandered his estate, becoming impoverished and hungry. "But when he came to his senses" (verse 17), he decided to go back home and work for his father as a hired man. Little did he imagine the reception that awaited him! When he was still far away, his father saw him, ran to him, embraced and kissed him, and said to his servant: "Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet" (verse 22). These three commands that are recorded are symbolic acts of restoration. The best robe, usually the father's, would immediately cover the son's shamefulness. The ring would once again identify him as part of the family, and if it were a signet ring, it would even give him the authority to attach the family's name to business transactions. The third order is a statement that he was being received as a son, because laborers were not given sandals. If you, or a loved one, have wandered far away from God and decide to come back to Him, you will encounter the same reception!
My Response:_________________________________________________________
HIS RECEPTION.
"While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."--Luke 15:20
Many years ago, I was in an antique store, admiring the display of several small items from the first century of the Christian era, when something caught my attention. I came upon a whole section of signet rings, instruments of choice to stamp the family's name on important documents. I bought one to use as a visual aid in my talks. The signet ring always reminds me of the grace of God, which is bigger than all of our failures. Let me tell you why.
Jesus was being friendly with sinners, and the religious leaders of the people did not like it. So, they grumbled about it (Luke 15:2). In response to this complaint, Jesus told three parables about lostness: one out of a hundred sheep (verses 4-7), one out of ten coins (verses 8-10), and one out of two sons (verses 11-32) all get lost. This is how the third story starts: "A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them" (verses 11, 12). And just like that, the younger son left his father, and squandered his estate, becoming impoverished and hungry. "But when he came to his senses" (verse 17), he decided to go back home and work for his father as a hired man. Little did he imagine the reception that awaited him! When he was still far away, his father saw him, ran to him, embraced and kissed him, and said to his servant: "Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet" (verse 22). These three commands that are recorded are symbolic acts of restoration. The best robe, usually the father's, would immediately cover the son's shamefulness. The ring would once again identify him as part of the family, and if it were a signet ring, it would even give him the authority to attach the family's name to business transactions. The third order is a statement that he was being received as a son, because laborers were not given sandals. If you, or a loved one, have wandered far away from God and decide to come back to Him, you will encounter the same reception!
My Response:_________________________________________________________
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