Darkness and Light

Have you ever considered the esteemed ironic position of the Pharisees? It amazes me how dramatically opposite they were to the very God they claimed to represent! They were as estranged as darkness and light! They were the alleged representatives of God in the earth, yet possessed a heart that was so much different and dark. One such instance of this is illustrated for us in Luke 15, in the parable of the prodigal son. Jesus told this parable to subtly rebuke the Pharisees for their most recent behavior: they were upset with Jesus because He ate and fellowshipped with sinners (Lk 15:1-3). But this story actually gives us a glimpse into WHY Jesus relates to sinners - it was to grasp hold of them and pull them up from their misery! Thank God that He mercifully condescended to our mess, yet was without sin Himself. What was scandal to the Pharisees was the personification of tender mercy to our loving Father. Jesus didn't accredit or approve of the sin by relating to sinners (as the Pharisees supposed), but was mercifully meeting lost mankind where they were: in the wilderness of the human soul; lost and hopeless without a mediator! For how else could He find us, and chase us into love? The Pharisees viewed this occasion from a carnal perspective, while the Lord viewed His relation with sinners from a heavenly mindset. How different these men were! And how scary that this same attitude is portrayed today against the backslidden and unsaved! Surprisingly, it hasn't really changed a whole lot. Shouldn't we look to the life of Jesus when dealing with such matters? Of course we should. He was the "firstborn among many brethren", and we are to come forth in His glorious likeness (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18)! If ever we have a true picture of God's heart toward sinful men, it is here in the parable of the prodigal son. If ever we have a slap in the face of mere religious, judgmental behavior, it is here as well. Two birds are forcibly killed with one stone. Observe:

In the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15), we have a picture of genuine repentance, and of two very differing responses to such repentance: the Father's response and the elder brother's response. This younger son, who haughtily took his inheritance and wasted it on riotous living, is soon brought low. Subsequently, he comes "to himself" and realizes the madness of sin and the abundance he once possessed in his father's house. He sincerely repents and comes home to his father. We know his repentance is genuine because he did it with Godly sorrow and a contrite heart (Lk 15:21; Ps 34:18), with confession (Lk 15:21; Prov 28:13), with the forsaking of sin (Lk 15:18; Acts 26:20), and with sincere actions (Lk 15:17, 19, 20). Thus we can be assured of the son's authenticity, and therefore of the Father's open reception and perfect, instant reconciliation also. The Father did not beat the son over the head. He didn't even ask him what he'd been up to. In fact, He interrupts the son's sorrowful discourse to adorn him with the bounties he didn't deserve! He placed a clean robe on his back, symbolic of the righteousness of Christ that has been freshly imparted (Rev 19:8; Ezek 16:8-10). He placed a ring on his finger, affirming his sonship and authority (Gen 41:42; Est 8:2; Rom 8:15). He placed shoes on his feet, re-establishing his right walk with God (Ps 56:13). He even killed the fatted calf and threw a bash in his honor! WOW! Can't you see the heart of God displayed here? He isn't mad at repentant sinners. In fact, He is RUNNING out to meet them. His mercy rejoices over judgment (Jas 2:13). Such a revelation of God's love is what wooed the son home in the first place (Lk 15:17). Hellfire and brimstone do not win people to God, that has been proven. Rather, it's His goodness DISPLAYED (not only discussed) that will prick the hardest heart (Acts 2:22-37; Ps 130:3-4; Isa 30:18; Rom 2:4). Shouldn't we try such methods? I believe so.

Jesus insinuates the Pharisees identification with the elder brother. The reaction of the elder brother was nothing short of a disgrace for one who claimed to honor God. He was jealous, angry, bitter, proud, and wanted judgment to fall upon his brother's head. Ironically, while the very God of heaven was humbly condescending and stooping low to meet the sinner, the elder brother was puffed with pride and rejection. How opposite he was to the very God he represented. What a sad situation. It's no wonder why more and more people are turned off by the Christian faith. We seem to have His concerns lopsided. We seem to think judgment rejoices over mercy, rather than vice-versa (Exod 34:6). But one day there will be a people who REALLY AND TRULY do what they see the Father doing, just as Jesus did (Jn 14:10). The world will be a different place! I cannot wait!

Will you be like the Pharisee, who anxiously anticipates the judgment of the prodigal son, and even uncovers his nakedness to catalyze the process (Lk 15:30)? Or will you strive to be like your loving Father, who anxiously anticipates the prodigal's return?