July 8: Affirming His Grace.
HIS CELEBRATION.
"Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate."--Luke 15:23
Allan Collins is the talented creator of the "silent sermon" sculptures. One of these amazing sculptures is found at La Sierra University in California, entitled The Glory of God's Grace. In this sculpture, we see the prodigal son returning home and his father running to meet him. When a contractor was called to adjust the sculpture's base, he wondered what it meant. Once this parable was explained to him, tears filled his eyes, because he had just made his son leave home because of his bad behavior. He was convicted now to go and look for his son and bring him back home.
When the prodigal son had squandered his father's wealth, with loose living (Luke 15:13), he wanted to come home. Since he was no longer worthy to be called a son, he planned to work as a servant (verse 19). But his father saw him from afar and ran to him! The sculpture at La Sierra University depicts vividly the passion of the father, running towards his son, as the father's garments seem to be lifted by the wind, exposing his legs, which would have created a shameful situation for an elderly gentleman. Yet the father did not care about his honor; instead he ran, embraced, and kissed the prodigal, restoring him to sonship (verses 20-23). But that's not all. He also called for a big celebration: "Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate." (verses 23, 24). Then we see the older brother, grumbling just like the Pharisees and scribes (verses 28-30, compare with verses 1, 2). The father pleads with him to join the celebration; after all, he is as undeserving as the younger son, yet he is in denial. Take a moment to read this fascinating story to the end (Luke 15:11-32). It's packed with celebration and filled with rejoicing and happiness because that which was lost has been found. Heaven is a place of rejoicing (see verse 7, 10). We will worship Him with exuberant joy when we realize that we are the ones who were lost but are now found! Let's joyfully accept and declare His grace from this day forward!
My Response:_________________________________________________________
HIS CELEBRATION.
"Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate."--Luke 15:23
Allan Collins is the talented creator of the "silent sermon" sculptures. One of these amazing sculptures is found at La Sierra University in California, entitled The Glory of God's Grace. In this sculpture, we see the prodigal son returning home and his father running to meet him. When a contractor was called to adjust the sculpture's base, he wondered what it meant. Once this parable was explained to him, tears filled his eyes, because he had just made his son leave home because of his bad behavior. He was convicted now to go and look for his son and bring him back home.
When the prodigal son had squandered his father's wealth, with loose living (Luke 15:13), he wanted to come home. Since he was no longer worthy to be called a son, he planned to work as a servant (verse 19). But his father saw him from afar and ran to him! The sculpture at La Sierra University depicts vividly the passion of the father, running towards his son, as the father's garments seem to be lifted by the wind, exposing his legs, which would have created a shameful situation for an elderly gentleman. Yet the father did not care about his honor; instead he ran, embraced, and kissed the prodigal, restoring him to sonship (verses 20-23). But that's not all. He also called for a big celebration: "Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate." (verses 23, 24). Then we see the older brother, grumbling just like the Pharisees and scribes (verses 28-30, compare with verses 1, 2). The father pleads with him to join the celebration; after all, he is as undeserving as the younger son, yet he is in denial. Take a moment to read this fascinating story to the end (Luke 15:11-32). It's packed with celebration and filled with rejoicing and happiness because that which was lost has been found. Heaven is a place of rejoicing (see verse 7, 10). We will worship Him with exuberant joy when we realize that we are the ones who were lost but are now found! Let's joyfully accept and declare His grace from this day forward!
My Response:_________________________________________________________
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