READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Jesus was criticised by the Pharisees (Luke 15:2) for dining with sinners. The Lord responded by telling three parables about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. These parables reveal God’s heart for seeking the lost. He sent His only Son to save all sinners. In the Gospels, we see the lives of Matthew, Zacchaeus and Mary Magdalene are changed as they encounter Jesus. The parable of lost son illustrates our Heavenly Father’s love in the following ways:
1. Showing more grace than control
In the culture of the day, the patriarch was expected to command and control the household. Yet this father allowed his second son to have the free choice to leave with his inheritance. Such an act was an insult, akin to wishing that his father would die. The grace shown by the father was further shown by the restoration of the son on his return. Not only did he not berate or punish the son, he welcomed him back lovingly with a celebratory party. More grace is shown to the older son, pleading with him to come into the house to celebrate his brother’s return. Such were the lavish acts of the father. When asked if we thought the older son would heed the father’s pleas, quite of few of us assumed the older son would stay away from the party. This reflects our culture which expects wrong doings to be punished, with no second chance given, enforcing the person to learn his lesson and not wanting to set a precedence. But God’s amazing grace is always giving and forgiving. May we learn to be like our Heavenly Father in showing grace than control in our homes.
2. Celebrating more than frowning
The older son frowns at what he feels is not right. His brother was a rebel and a disgrace to the family. It seems most unfair that there was a celebration for this returning son. But the father explained that the son who was lost had now returned, and this was worth celebrating. May we too celebrate small victories instead of harping on failures. Let us have the heart of our Heavenly Father to be gracious and joyous. At home and work, let us celebrate instead of frowning. Remember that today, the number of things that went right outnumber the things that could have gone wrong.
3. Showing compassion rather than practising convention
The prodigal father disregards his position as the patriarch. He unconventionally runs and hugs his wayward son who must have smelt after spending time in pigsties. The older son who refused to join in the party could have been commanded to go in. Instead, the father goes out to reason with this sulking son. Both sons could have been reprimanded for their behaviour. Yet, the father shows great compassion. In Singapore, convention typically overrules. Imagine our reaction to the incident in Mark 2:1-11 where four friends lowered a paralytic to Jesus through a roof. We may accuse the friends of jumping queue or vandalising the house! Similarly, in John 8:1-11 Jesus showed compassion over convention which required the woman caught in adultery to be stoned. Do our children see compassion over convention in how we deal with them? Do we recall that as wretched sinners, our Father provided the cross to enable us to be restored to Him?
May we grow to show grace instead of control, celebrate rather than frown, display compassion in place of convention. Let us represent our Father’s heart to all those around us.
(Sermon notes by Angela Goh)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- How can I be more gracious/generous at home/work/school?
- What are positive things in your life that you can celebrate?
- How do I act with compassion above convention at home/work/play?
