Forgiveness and Hope

March 9, 2013

Opening Hymns:
578 God of Love and God of Power http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh578.sht

Scripture Reading:
Luke 15: 11-31

The Parable of the Lost Son

¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
²⁵ “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
²⁸ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Message:
I think the hardest part of changing ones character or breaking an addiction is the doubt/judgment of others. If someone has been the town drunk for years and years the people they’ve hurt may doubt they can change. Perhaps the one who is trying to change has made failed attempts before, and everyone else doubts that a complete change will ever happen. Imagine being stuck in such a rut! Wanting to change and having little support from those around you.

Can we put judging aside? Perhaps, in these situations, we can strive to be more like the father who sees the change happen and openly accepts it. He lets go of the past and welcomes back his son who has come home. How much more will that son wish to stay true to his father? How much easier will it be for him to change if others believe the change can take place as well?

Sadly, we do live in a judging world. It can be hard not to form harsh opinions against someone. Judging can be our way of protecting ourselves… trusting others and leaving judgment behind seems like an open door for disappointment and emotional stress. If we hope with someone that they will be able to overcome their addiction, or that they will be able to change, we can often get let down.

However, people do change. Alcoholics do stop drinking, drug addicts come clean. It might not happen every time, but it does happen enough to light up hope in our hearts. Hope and forgiveness can be hard, but they are two of the most healing and beautiful things around. Forgiveness can spark a change, and hope can lead us through every challenge in life.   

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for giving us the gifts of hope and forgiveness. Please help us share them with others. Guide our paths, and give us strength through every challenge. Calm our minds, and let us put judging aside. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
548 In Christ there is no East or West http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh548.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God