The father took his son back -- didn't tell him to clean himself up before the robe was put on him. The father didn't yell at him for squandering the money. The father didn't ask for the prodigal son to even say sorry. He just took him back. God takes us back the same way. God takes us back in the condition He finds us in. After the relationship is there then God works with us to become who He created us to be.
Why did Jesus tell this parable?
"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.” Luke 15:1-2
He was responding to the Pharisees and teachers grumbling about Him loving and welcoming unsavory people into His presence. Jesus is showing them the way God works with us.
Who are we?
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” Romans 15:1-3
We have an obligation to bear with the failings of others -- God did this with us (and continues to). Why would we act any differently?
Ask yourself: Am I acting like a pharisee or like Jesus?
Who are we to judge?
"Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you." Psalm 143:1-2
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Matthew 7:3
Sin is sin is sin.
The Order of Things.
In Luke 19 Jesus calls up to Zacchaeus and says he is going to eat at Zacchaeus's house. We are called first. We accept and the relationship begins. And then after that comes the change. God brings about the change in us -- not we ourselves. Our responsibility is to open the door and let them in (as a church).
Change comes after the relationship
Is that not the blueprint that Jesus gave us?
Not ready but willing -- that is an individual's responsibility -- to be willing to receive Jesus. We need to be a safe haven for all who are broken -- the church needs to be that safe haven. Are we a church with open doors?
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:4
Equation for Salvation:
Come as you are + Jesus = Salvation.
Endurance + Scriptures = Hope.
Day to day we walk. We pick up our cross daily.
This is the example of Jesus.
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:4-7
Do what you can within your sphere of influence. We Believers need to be the ones to make the change.
A Church family of hope.
Our hope likes in the promises of Jesus.
Where there is hope, there is life.
Open the doors of the church. Open the arms of your heart. There is no better place, no better people, no better time than now.