Outrageous Love and Scandalous Grace
September 18th, 2008 | by Ed |This Sunday, I’m beginning a new series (mini-series really) entitled The Father’s Heart.
The series is based on what is perhaps the most familiar of all Jesus’ parables–The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Unfortunately, however, our familiarity with this parable often locks us into one way of understanding it and robs us of the full impact of the message.
The common understanding of this parable is that it speaks of the salvation of a sinner coming home to his heavenly father. While that is certainly one of the applications of this parable, the message of this parable is much deeper. This parable is both a mirror that helps us to see ourselves in a new way, as well as a window into God’s heart.
The title of this Sunday’s message is Outrageous Love.
This parable is more than a heartwarming story you’d find on the Hallmark Channel; it’s a story that speaks of an outrageously extravagant love that transcends human comprehension and human capability. It’s a story of a lavishly abundant grace that scandalizes church-going, morally upright, religious people. Why? Because it’s so downright unfair!
The younger son rebels against his father, disgraces the family, turns his back on his people, his heritage, his faith, and his moral values. And father rewards him by throwing a big party in his honor! WHAT?! Are there no consequences for his behavior? Where’s the law of reaping what you sow? Why would anyone sacrifice and work hard to serve the heavenly Father, if you can sin all you want and get away with it…even get rewarded for it? Is that what grace is all about?
You can almost hear the words of the older son, can’t you?
In our study of this parable, be prepared for some unexpected twists and hairpin turns. Expect the outrageous and the scandalous.