Pastor Ed’s Blog

Grace…For Those Who Don’t Deserve It!

This Sunday, we continue our study on the parable of the prodigal son. Last week, we saw the “outrageous love” that the father showed toward his wayward son, illustrating God’s outrageous love for us. God’s love “exceeds all bounds of reasonableness,” i.e., God’s love is totally outside the box! It transcends human reason; it is totally unreasonable.  Thank God! Or none of us would qualify!

That’s the wonderful thing about grace–everyone qualifies! Even prodigal sons.

But such lavish grace extended to the undeserving doesn’t make everyone happy, especially good, hard-working, rule-keeping, religious people. After all, why should God’s favor and blessing be given freely to undeserving good-for-nothings when they…well, don’t deserve it!

Aren’t you condoning, even encouraging, irresponsible, sinful behavior? How can you reward such blatant sin by throwing a party, of all things? Is there no accountability? Are there no consequences? Do they just get away with it? Shouldn’t they get what’s coming to them?

And what about those who do deserve the favor and blessings of the father–the faithful, hard-working, obedient sons who have always kept the rules and have done what was right? Don’t they deserve a party? Don’t they deserve some recognition and appreciation?

If you sometimes feel like this, then you can identify with the Elder Brother in this parable, the Respectable Son. Respectable Sons are always scandalized by the Father’s grace shown toward the Rebellious Sons. Grace just doesn’t seem fair. Grace offers freely to the undeserving Rebellious Sons what the Respectable Sons have been trying to earn by their hard work, and their faithful service and obedience. Is that fair?

 Join us this Sunday when we look at grace from the perspective of the Elder Brother. Will you join the party in celebration of amazing grace or sulk outside in self-imposed exile? Won’t you come and delight yourself in the unconditional and outrageous love of your Father?

Pass the fatted calf please.