Engaging Today's Prodigal by Carol Barnier

Author:Carol Barnier [BARNIER, CAROL]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8024-8147-4
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Published: 2012-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Reflect: Have you considered that your child’s step away from the faith may contain an element of courage? In your situation, would it be appropriate to acknowledge that his or her choices might have been difficult to make? If so, how might this open a door of communication?

Chapter 14

Do Love When Your Prodigal Is Most Unlovable

The people gathered around Jesus to hear His latest teaching. In the crowds stood the heads of the local synagogues, the chief priests, the leaders. They had heard rumors that this Jesus behaved in questionable ways, that He had bad taste in friends and even ate with tax collectors and with women of questionable repute. They drew near and then hushed as Jesus began.

“Suppose a shepherd has a hundred sheep. And a little one wanders off, lost, no longer able to hear his master’s voice. What should you do? Verily, I say unto you … let it go. Good riddance in fact, because if the little ball of wool didn’t appreciate the values of the flock, we’re better off without it. It’s left the protection of our ways. It’s rejected its master. I know it’s sad, but better to let one go then to upset the whole herd.”

Huh?

Or how about if Jesus had said, “Zacchaeus … you come down from that sycamore tree. For I’m going to … um … well, I’d like to come over for tea and tell you all about the good news, but see, you’re viewed a bit contemptuously by this crowd, and well, I don’t want to alienate them. No, no, no, don’t even shake My hand. If I touch you, that would be bad too. It might look like I’m kind of wishy-washy on sin. Just know that while God despises you, He loves you too! Isn’t that great? If you ever get your act together, maybe we can catch a movie sometime. I’m off to the temple now to catch the two o’clock prayers. Ciao, Zack.”

Double huh?

These altered renditions—“fractured” might be more apt—were actually a better representation of the thoughts of many in the crowd, not those of Jesus. For centuries, Jesus has confounded people with His knack of saying just the opposite of what was expected. (It’s one of the things I love most about Him.) The New Testament is full of these amazing, unsettling kinds of statements.

The poor are rich.

Love your enemies.

I didn’t come to call the righteous.

Blessed are the persecuted.

The tax collectors and prostitutes are getting into heaven ahead of you. (Matthew 5:3, 44; Mark 2:17; Matthew 5:10; 21:31)

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