Retrun to God: Journey of the Prodigal

Return to GodReturn to God

The Law of Grace The Law of Grace

2 Cor 3:62 Cor 3:6He has made us competent as He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit for the letter kills, but the Spirit givers life.givers life.

Ehab RoufailEhab Roufail

23rd July 2010 The Law of Grace 2

OutlineOutline• The Rich Young ManThe Rich Young Man

• The Prodigal SonsThe Prodigal Sons– Directed to whom?Directed to whom?– The younger brotherThe younger brother– The elder brotherThe elder brother

• Sin RedefinedSin Redefined

• How to repentHow to repent

• The Law of GraceThe Law of Grace


The Rich Young ManThe Rich Young ManMark 10:Mark 10:

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on 17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" do to inherit eternal life?" 18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is 18"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not 19You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" 20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a 20"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." boy." 21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he 21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.Then come, follow me." " 22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he 22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. had great wealth.


The Rich Young ManThe Rich Young Man• Why did the young man fall to his knees?Why did the young man fall to his knees?• Who did Jesus try and tell him He was?Who did Jesus try and tell him He was?• What was wrong with his question?What was wrong with his question?

21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has 21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:21-24Romans 3:21-24

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Romans 5:8

The Prodigal SonThe Prodigal Son


The Prodigal SonsThe Prodigal SonsLuke 15:1-3Luke 15:1-3

1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear 1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 Then Jesus told them this man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 Then Jesus told them this parable…parable…

Luke 15:11-32Luke 15:11-3211 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The 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.' 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 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 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 there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he 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 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 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 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 anything. 17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! father's hired men 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 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. sinned against heaven and against you.


The Prodigal SonsThe Prodigal Sons19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father. one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and "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 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, arms around him and kissed him. 21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no '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 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 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 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 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.' of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.So they began to celebrate.


The Prodigal SonsThe Prodigal Sons25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came 25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called 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 one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28 fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his "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 went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

31 " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and 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 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; glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "he was lost and is found.' "

Ugliness of SinUgliness of Sin

Why did the son leave his father’s house?Why did the son leave his father’s house?

i) Freedomi) Freedom ii) Independenceii) Independence ““So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of

that country, who sent him to his fields to feed that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs…” pigs…” Luke 15:5Luke 15:5

Sin is servitude Sin is servitude

not freedom.not freedom.

Then God said, “Let Us make man Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our in Our image, according to Our

likeness; let them have dominion likeness; let them have dominion over the over the fishfish of the sea, over the of the sea, over the

birdsbirds of the air, and over the of the air, and over the cattlecattle, over , over all the earth all the earth and and

over over every creeping thingevery creeping thing that that creeps on the earth.”creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:26Genesis 1:26

God created us to be freeGod created us to be free

What was his job?What was his job? Feeding pigsFeeding pigs(a humiliating job for a jew)(a humiliating job for a jew)

Sin = Servitude + HumiliationSin = Servitude + Humiliation

AdamAdam NabuchadnezzerNabuchadnezzer• “…“…And you shall eat the And you shall eat the

herb of the field.” herb of the field.” Genesis Genesis 3:183:18

• ““Also, to every beast of the Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in creeps on the earth, in which [there is] life, [I have which [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for given] every green herb for food; and it was so.” food; and it was so.” Genesis 1:30Genesis 1:30

• ““That very hour the word That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' grown like eagles' [feathers] and his nails like [feathers] and his nails like birds' [claws].”birds' [claws].”

Daniel 4:33Daniel 4:33

Slavery to sin makes us lower than animals?Slavery to sin makes us lower than animals?

When did he start to be in need?When did he start to be in need? ““But when he had spent all, there arose a But when he had spent all, there arose a

severe famine in that land, and he began to be severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.” in want.” Luke 15:14Luke 15:14

Nothing is going well for him. Nothing is going well for him.

Sin = Lack of BlessingSin = Lack of Blessing

• ““They do not say in their They do not say in their heart, “Let us now fear the heart, “Let us now fear the LORD our God, Who gives LORD our God, Who gives rain, both the former and rain, both the former and the latter, in its season. He the latter, in its season. He reserves for us the reserves for us the appointed weeks of the appointed weeks of the harvest.””harvest.””

• ““Your iniquities have turned Your iniquities have turned these [things] away, And these [things] away, And your sins have withheld your sins have withheld good from you.”good from you.”

Jeremiah 5: 24, 25Jeremiah 5: 24, 25

• “… “… We look for light, but We look for light, but there is darkness! For there is darkness! For brightness, [but] we walk in brightness, [but] we walk in blackness!”blackness!”

• ““For our transgressions are For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; our sins testify against us; For our transgressions [are] For our transgressions [are] with us…”with us…”

Isaiah 59: 9, 12Isaiah 59: 9, 12

Sin keeps us in darknessSin keeps us in darkness

Ugliness of sinUgliness of sin

Sin = Servitude NOT Sin = Servitude NOT FreedomFreedom

Sin = Servitude + Sin = Servitude + HumiliationHumiliation

Sin = Lack of BlessingSin = Lack of Blessing

Repentance Repentance

1. BUT WHEN HE CAME TO 1. BUT WHEN HE CAME TO HIMSELF… LUKE 15:17HIMSELF… LUKE 15:17

2. HOW MANY OF MY 2. HOW MANY OF MY FATHER'S HIRED SERVANTS FATHER'S HIRED SERVANTS HAVE BREAD ENOUGH AND HAVE BREAD ENOUGH AND TO SPARE, AND I PERISH TO SPARE, AND I PERISH WITH HUNGER … LUKE 15:17WITH HUNGER … LUKE 15:17

• Sit with yourselfSit with yourself

• Don’t try to find Don’t try to find excuses for yourselfexcuses for yourself

“But now they have no excuse for their sin.”

John 15:22

Come to our sensesCome to our senses

3. I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY FATHER … LUKE 15:183. I WILL ARISE AND GO TO MY FATHER … LUKE 15:18

• Don’t postpone repentanceDon’t postpone repentance

“He made haste and came down…”

Luke 19:6

“Immediately he and all his family were baptized.”

Acts 16:33

“You are the man… ‘I have sinned

against the LORD.’”2 Samuel 12: 7,

13

Get up and returnGet up and return

4. his father…had compassion, and ran and fell on 4. his father…had compassion, and ran and fell on

his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20

'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be your sight, and am no longer worthy to be

called your son.‘ luke 15:21called your son.‘ luke 15:21

• Humble Humble yourself yourself before the before the LordLord

Humble yourself before HimHumble yourself before Him

Repentance Repentance

• Sit with yourselfSit with yourself

• Don’t try to find Don’t try to find excuses for yourselfexcuses for yourself

• Don’t postpone Don’t postpone repentancerepentance

• Humble yourself Humble yourself before the Lordbefore the Lord

Post repentancePost repentance

ringring• It has a seal to mark It has a seal to mark

documents.documents.• Resembles Resembles authorityauthority..• ““See, I have set you over See, I have set you over

all the land of Egypt.” all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's and put it on Joseph's hand”hand”

Genesis 41: 41, 42Genesis 41: 41, 42

RobeRobe• “…“…He has covered me He has covered me

with the robe of with the robe of righteousness…” righteousness…”

Isaiah 61:10Isaiah 61:10• Righteousness =Righteousness =

To do what is rightTo do what is right• ““Therefore bear fruits Therefore bear fruits

worthy of repentance.”worthy of repentance.”

Matthew 3:8Matthew 3:8

SandalsSandals• “…“…Having shod your feet Having shod your feet

with the preparation of with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”the gospel of peace.”

Ephesians 6:15Ephesians 6:15

• Sandals = Walking Sandals = Walking according to the gospelaccording to the gospel

"And he arose and came to his father…”

Luke 15:20

In the church keep your target our Lord Jesus

alone.

Focus on Him onlyFocus on Him only

Post RepentancePost RepentanceRing = AuthorityRing = Authority

Robe = RighteousnessRobe = Righteousness

Sandals = Walking Sandals = Walking according to the gospelaccording to the gospel

His Father = In the church His Father = In the church keep your target our Lord keep your target our Lord Jesus aloneJesus alone

Remember who you areRemember who you are


The People around JesusThe People around JesusThere were two groups of people who had come There were two groups of people who had come

to listen to the Lord Jesus:to listen to the Lord Jesus:• The The ‘tax collectors and sinners’‘tax collectors and sinners’ – These men – These men

and women correspond to the younger brother and women correspond to the younger brother in the parable. They observed neither moral or in the parable. They observed neither moral or religious laws. They left the home of their religious laws. They left the home of their tradition.tradition.

• The The ‘Pharisees and the teachers of the law’‘Pharisees and the teachers of the law’ who correspond to the older brother. They who correspond to the older brother. They studied and obeyed the Scripture. They studied and obeyed the Scripture. They worshipped faithfully and prayed constantly. worshipped faithfully and prayed constantly. They never left the home of their traditions.They never left the home of their traditions.


To whom is the parable directed?To whom is the parable directed?• It is to the second group, the scribes and It is to the second group, the scribes and

Pharisees. It is in response to their attitude that Pharisees. It is in response to their attitude that Jesus begins to tell the parable.Jesus begins to tell the parable.

• The parable climaxes with a powerful plea from The parable climaxes with a powerful plea from the Father to the elder son for him to change the Father to the elder son for him to change his heart.his heart.

• He is not on the side of the irreligious or the He is not on the side of the irreligious or the religious.religious.

• But the Lord singles out the religious moralism But the Lord singles out the religious moralism as a particular deadly spiritual condition.as a particular deadly spiritual condition.


To whom is the parable directed?To whom is the parable directed?• In every case where the Lord meets a religious In every case where the Lord meets a religious

person and a sexual outcast (Luke 7) or a person and a sexual outcast (Luke 7) or a religious person and a racial outcast (John 3-4) religious person and a racial outcast (John 3-4) or a religious person and a political outcast or a religious person and a political outcast (Luke 19), the outcast is the one who connects (Luke 19), the outcast is the one who connects with the Lord.with the Lord.

• The elder brother type does not connect.The elder brother type does not connect.

• Jesus says to the respectable religious leaders Jesus says to the respectable religious leaders that the ‘tax collectors and prostitutes enter the that the ‘tax collectors and prostitutes enter the kingdom before you” (Matth 21:31)kingdom before you” (Matth 21:31)


The Lost Younger BrotherThe Lost Younger Brother

Q. Why is it easier for the young son to accept Q. Why is it easier for the young son to accept the Father’s love?the Father’s love?


The Lost Younger BrotherThe Lost Younger Brother• The division of the estate only occurred when The division of the estate only occurred when

the father died. To ask while the Father were the father died. To ask while the Father were alive is to alive is to wish him deadwish him dead..

• He wants his fathers things but not his Father.He wants his fathers things but not his Father.

• A traditional middle eastern father would be A traditional middle eastern father would be expected to respond to such a request by expected to respond to such a request by driving the son out of the family with nothing driving the son out of the family with nothing except physical blows.except physical blows.

• The younger brother asks the Father to tear his The younger brother asks the Father to tear his life apart.life apart.


The Younger Brothers PlanThe Younger Brothers Plan• The son intended to make restitution and say The son intended to make restitution and say

‘Father, I know I don’t have the right to come ‘Father, I know I don’t have the right to come back but if you take me on as a hired man I will back but if you take me on as a hired man I will repay my debt.’repay my debt.’

• The Father The Father runsruns to him – middle eastern to him – middle eastern patriarchs do not pick up their robes, showing patriarchs do not pick up their robes, showing their legs and run. But his father does.their legs and run. But his father does.


The Fathers PlanThe Fathers Plan• The best robe in the house is the Father’s own The best robe in the house is the Father’s own

robe, the sign that he is restored in the family robe, the sign that he is restored in the family standingstanding

• The Father is saying, “I’m not going to wait until The Father is saying, “I’m not going to wait until you’ve paid off your debt. You are not going to you’ve paid off your debt. You are not going to earn your way back – I will simply take you earn your way back – I will simply take you back and cover your nakedness and restore back and cover your nakedness and restore your riches, returning your honouryour riches, returning your honour

• There is no evil that the Father’s love cannot There is no evil that the Father’s love cannot pardon and cover – not only is there food to pardon and cover – not only is there food to spare but Grace to sparespare but Grace to spare


The Lost Elder BrotherThe Lost Elder Brother

Q. What makes it hard for the older son to Q. What makes it hard for the older son to accept?accept?



• He remains outside the door, publicly He remains outside the door, publicly showing he disagrees with his showing he disagrees with his Father’s actions.Father’s actions.

• By bringing the younger brother back By bringing the younger brother back into the family he has made him an into the family he has made him an heir of his own share of the father’s heir of his own share of the father’s wealth.wealth.

• And I’ve earned what I’ve got!And I’ve earned what I’ve got!



• He addresses the Father with no He addresses the Father with no respect – “Look..” Such behaviour is respect – “Look..” Such behaviour is outrageous.outrageous.

• The Father instead of disowning him The Father instead of disowning him tries to convince him.tries to convince him.

• The Lord is speaking to the Pharisees The Lord is speaking to the Pharisees and trying to plead with those who and trying to plead with those who would crucify Him to follow Him.would crucify Him to follow Him.


The Lord’s view of SinThe Lord’s view of Sin

• The message of the Lord is that both The message of the Lord is that both sons are wrong. This parable shows sons are wrong. This parable shows the the radical alternative…radical alternative…

• The lover of prostitutes is saved The lover of prostitutes is saved because he accepts the Father’s love, because he accepts the Father’s love, but the man of good morals is still lost but the man of good morals is still lost because he feels he has earned it.because he feels he has earned it.


The Lord’s view of SinThe Lord’s view of Sin

• His own pride in his own moral record His own pride in his own moral record of keeping the law is keeping him of keeping the law is keeping him away from his Father.away from his Father.

• The elder brother thinks ‘I have never The elder brother thinks ‘I have never disobeyed you! Now you have to do disobeyed you! Now you have to do things in my life my way.’things in my life my way.’

• Neither son loved the Father for Neither son loved the Father for HimselfHimself


Sin RedefinedSin Redefined

• If we, like the elder brother, believe that If we, like the elder brother, believe that God ought to bless us and help us God ought to bless us and help us because we have worked so hard to obey because we have worked so hard to obey Him and to be a good person, then Jesus Him and to be a good person, then Jesus may be:may be:– Your helperYour helper

– Your exampleYour example

– Even your inspirationEven your inspiration

– But He will not be allowed to be your SaviourBut He will not be allowed to be your Saviour

– You are serving as your own saviour!You are serving as your own saviour!


It is Important to ObeyIt is Important to Obey

• 21 Whoever has my commands and 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." show myself to him." John 14:21John 14:21

• It is important to obey with the right It is important to obey with the right Spirit.Spirit.


God’s Grace to usGod’s Grace to us• During a British conference on comparative During a British conference on comparative

religions, experts from around the world religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith.Christian faith.

• C.S. Lewis walks in and asks ‘what’s the C.S. Lewis walks in and asks ‘what’s the rumpus about?’ they explain and he says – ‘oh rumpus about?’ they explain and he says – ‘oh that’s easy. It’s Grace.’that’s easy. It’s Grace.’

• Think about it, what other religion has that Think about it, what other religion has that concept or could even accept that?concept or could even accept that?


God’s Grace to usGod’s Grace to us

• Story of prodigal girlStory of prodigal girl

• In Church Theology - God the In Church Theology - God the Father is looked at as Father is looked at as ‘The One ‘The One who Loves.’who Loves.’

• Analogy from the film the last Analogy from the film the last emperor.emperor.

In Phillip Yancey’s book “What’s so In Phillip Yancey’s book “What’s so Amazing about Grace,” Yancy retells the Amazing about Grace,” Yancy retells the story of the Prodigal Son from a modern story of the Prodigal Son from a modern day view point. It is a powerful story and day view point. It is a powerful story and it’s definitely worth sharing. Here’s the it’s definitely worth sharing. Here’s the story …story …

THE RUNAWAYTHE RUNAWAY A young girl grows up on a cherry orchard A young girl grows up on a cherry orchard just above Traverse City, Michigan. Her just above Traverse City, Michigan. Her parents, a bit old-fashioned, tend to parents, a bit old-fashioned, tend to overreact to her nose ring, the music she overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, and the length of her skirts. listens to, and the length of her skirts. They ground her a few times, and she They ground her a few times, and she seethes inside. seethes inside.

Modern Day Prodigal GirlModern Day Prodigal Girl

““I hate you!” she screams at her father I hate you!” she screams at her father when he knocks on the door of her room when he knocks on the door of her room after an argument, and that night she acts after an argument, and that night she acts on a plan she has mentally rehearsed on a plan she has mentally rehearsed scores of times. She runs away. scores of times. She runs away. She has visited Detroit only once before, She has visited Detroit only once before, on a bus trip with her church youth group on a bus trip with her church youth group to watch the Tigers play. Because to watch the Tigers play. Because newspapers in Traverse City report in lurid newspapers in Traverse City report in lurid detail the gangs, drugs, and violence in detail the gangs, drugs, and violence in downtown Detroit, she concludes that is downtown Detroit, she concludes that is probably the last place her parents will probably the last place her parents will look for her. California, maybe, or Florida, look for her. California, maybe, or Florida, but not Detroitbut not Detroit.


Her second day there she meets a man Her second day there she meets a man who drives the biggest car she’s ever who drives the biggest car she’s ever seen. He offers her a ride, buys her lunch, seen. He offers her a ride, buys her lunch, arranges a place for her to stay. He gives arranges a place for her to stay. He gives her some pills that make her feel better her some pills that make her feel better than she’s ever felt before. She was right than she’s ever felt before. She was right all along, she decides: Her parents were all along, she decides: Her parents were keeping her from all the fun. keeping her from all the fun. The good life continues for a month, two The good life continues for a month, two months, a year. The man with the big carmonths, a year. The man with the big car—she calls him “Boss”–teaches her a few —she calls him “Boss”–teaches her a few things that men like. Since she’s things that men like. Since she’s underage, men pay a premium for herunderage, men pay a premium for her.


She lives in a penthouse and orders room She lives in a penthouse and orders room service whenever she wants. Occasionally service whenever she wants. Occasionally she thinks about the folks back home, but she thinks about the folks back home, but their lives now seem so boring that she their lives now seem so boring that she can hardly believe she grew up there. She can hardly believe she grew up there. She has a brief scare when she sees her has a brief scare when she sees her picture printed on the back of a milk picture printed on the back of a milk carton with the headline, “Have you seen carton with the headline, “Have you seen this child?” But by now she has blond hair, this child?” But by now she has blond hair, and with all the makeup and body-and with all the makeup and body-piercing jewelry she wears, nobody would piercing jewelry she wears, nobody would mistake her for a child. Besides, most of mistake her for a child. Besides, most of her friends are runaways, and nobody her friends are runaways, and nobody squeals in Detroit. squeals in Detroit.


After a year, the first sallow signs of After a year, the first sallow signs of illness appear, and it amazes her how fast illness appear, and it amazes her how fast the boss turns mean. “These days, we the boss turns mean. “These days, we can’t mess around,” he growls, and before can’t mess around,” he growls, and before she knows it she’s out on the street she knows it she’s out on the street without a penny to her name. She still without a penny to her name. She still turns a couple of tricks a night, but they turns a couple of tricks a night, but they don’t pay much, and all the money goes don’t pay much, and all the money goes to support her drug habit. When winter to support her drug habit. When winter blows in she finds herself sleeping on blows in she finds herself sleeping on metal grates outside the big department metal grates outside the big department stores. “Sleeping” is the wrong word—a stores. “Sleeping” is the wrong word—a teenage girl at night in downtown Detroit teenage girl at night in downtown Detroit can never relax her guard. can never relax her guard.


Dark bands circle her eyes. Her cough Dark bands circle her eyes. Her cough worsens. worsens. One night, as she lies awake listening for One night, as she lies awake listening for footsteps, all of a sudden everything footsteps, all of a sudden everything about her life looks different. She no about her life looks different. She no longer feels like a woman of the world. longer feels like a woman of the world. She feels like a little girl, lost in a cold and She feels like a little girl, lost in a cold and frightening city. She begins to whimper. frightening city. She begins to whimper. Her pockets are empty and she’s hungry. Her pockets are empty and she’s hungry. She needs a fix. She pulls her legs tight She needs a fix. She pulls her legs tight underneath her and shivers under the underneath her and shivers under the newspapers she’s piled atop her coat. newspapers she’s piled atop her coat. Something jolts a synapse of memory and Something jolts a synapse of memory and a single image fills her mind:a single image fills her mind:


of May in Traverse City, when a million of May in Traverse City, when a million cherry trees bloom at once, with her cherry trees bloom at once, with her golden retriever dashing through the rows golden retriever dashing through the rows and rows of blossomy trees in chase of a and rows of blossomy trees in chase of a tennis ball. tennis ball. God, why did I leave?God, why did I leave? she says to herself, she says to herself, and pain stabs at her heart. and pain stabs at her heart. My dog back My dog back home eats better than I do now.home eats better than I do now. She’s She’s sobbing, and she knows in a flash that sobbing, and she knows in a flash that more than anything else in the world she more than anything else in the world she wants to go home. wants to go home. Three straight phone calls, three straight Three straight phone calls, three straight connections with the answering machine. connections with the answering machine.


She hangs up without leaving a message She hangs up without leaving a message the first two times, but the third time she the first two times, but the third time she says, “Dad, Mom, it’s me. I was wondering says, “Dad, Mom, it’s me. I was wondering about maybe coming home. I’m catching about maybe coming home. I’m catching a bus up your way, and it’ll get there a bus up your way, and it’ll get there about midnight tomorrow. If you’re not about midnight tomorrow. If you’re not there, well, I guess I’ll just stay on the bus there, well, I guess I’ll just stay on the bus until it hits Canada.” until it hits Canada.” It takes about seven hours for a bus to It takes about seven hours for a bus to make all the stops between Detroit and make all the stops between Detroit and Traverse City, and during that time she Traverse City, and during that time she realizes the flaws in her plan. What if her realizes the flaws in her plan. What if her parents are out of town and miss the parents are out of town and miss the message? message?


Shouldn’t she have waited another day or Shouldn’t she have waited another day or so until she could talk to them? Even if so until she could talk to them? Even if they are home, they probably wrote her they are home, they probably wrote her off as dead long ago. She should have off as dead long ago. She should have given them some time to overcome the given them some time to overcome the shock. shock. Her thoughts bounce back and forth Her thoughts bounce back and forth between those worries and the speech between those worries and the speech she is preparing for her father. “Dad, I’m she is preparing for her father. “Dad, I’m sorry. I know I was wrong. It’s not your sorry. I know I was wrong. It’s not your fault, it’s all mine. Dad, can you forgive fault, it’s all mine. Dad, can you forgive me?” She says the words over and over, me?” She says the words over and over, her throat tightening even as she her throat tightening even as she rehearses them. She hasn’t apologized to rehearses them. She hasn’t apologized to anyone in yearsanyone in years


The bus has been driving with lights on The bus has been driving with lights on since Bay City. Tiny snowflakes hit the since Bay City. Tiny snowflakes hit the road, and the asphalt steams. She’s road, and the asphalt steams. She’s forgotten how dark it gets at night out forgotten how dark it gets at night out here. A deer darts across the road and the here. A deer darts across the road and the bus swerves. Every so often, a billboard. A bus swerves. Every so often, a billboard. A sign posting the mileage to Traverse City. sign posting the mileage to Traverse City. Oh, God.Oh, God. When the bus finally rolls into the station, When the bus finally rolls into the station, its air brakes hissing in protest, the driver its air brakes hissing in protest, the driver announces in a crackly voice over the announces in a crackly voice over the microphone, “Fifteen minutes, folks. microphone, “Fifteen minutes, folks. That’s all we have here.” Fifteen minutes That’s all we have here.” Fifteen minutes to decide her life. to decide her life.


She checks herself in a compact mirror, She checks herself in a compact mirror, smooths her hair, and licks the lipstick off smooths her hair, and licks the lipstick off her teeth. She looks at the tobacco stains her teeth. She looks at the tobacco stains on her fingertips and wonders if her on her fingertips and wonders if her parents will notice. If they’re there. parents will notice. If they’re there. She walks into the terminal not knowing She walks into the terminal not knowing what to expect, and not one of the what to expect, and not one of the thousand scenes that have played out in thousand scenes that have played out in her mind prepare her for what she sees. her mind prepare her for what she sees. There, in the concrete-walls-and-plastic-There, in the concrete-walls-and-plastic-chairs bus terminal in Traverse City, chairs bus terminal in Traverse City, Michigan, stands a group of 40 family Michigan, stands a group of 40 family members—brothers and sisters and great-members—brothers and sisters and great-aunts and uncles and cousins and a aunts and uncles and cousins and a grandmother and great-grandmother to grandmother and great-grandmother to boot. boot.


They are all wearing ridiculous-looking They are all wearing ridiculous-looking party hats and blowing noisemakers, and party hats and blowing noisemakers, and taped across the entire wall of the taped across the entire wall of the terminal is a computer-generated banner terminal is a computer-generated banner that reads “Welcome home!” that reads “Welcome home!” Out of the crowd of well-wishers breaks Out of the crowd of well-wishers breaks her dad. She looks through tears and her dad. She looks through tears and begins the memorized speech, begins the memorized speech, “Dad, I’m “Dad, I’m sorry. I know … “sorry. I know … “ He interrupts her. He interrupts her. “Hush, child. We’ve got “Hush, child. We’ve got no time for that. No time for apologies. no time for that. No time for apologies. You’ll be late for the party. A banquet’s You’ll be late for the party. A banquet’s waiting for you at home.” waiting for you at home.” And so it is with God’s amazing grace. And so it is with God’s amazing grace.


But what’s so amazing about it, anyway? But what’s so amazing about it, anyway?

Ask people what they must do to get to Ask people what they must do to get to return to God and most reply, “Be good.” return to God and most reply, “Be good.” Jesus’ stories contradict that answer. Jesus’ stories contradict that answer.

All we must do is cry, “Help!” God All we must do is cry, “Help!” God welcomes home anyone who will have him welcomes home anyone who will have him and, in fact, has made the first move and, in fact, has made the first move already. already.

That’s what’s so amazing about grace.That’s what’s so amazing about grace.



Who are you?Who are you?• If you were to ask St. John the Gospel writer If you were to ask St. John the Gospel writer

who he is, what would he say?who he is, what would he say?• ‘‘I am the one who Jesus loves.’I am the one who Jesus loves.’• There is a story of a priest passing a peasant There is a story of a priest passing a peasant

village who sees a peasant praying on the side village who sees a peasant praying on the side of the street and says to him ‘you must be close of the street and says to him ‘you must be close to God’.to God’.

• The peasant answers – ‘Yes He’s very fond of The peasant answers – ‘Yes He’s very fond of me’me’

• If I truly believed that God Loved me and I If I truly believed that God Loved me and I really accepted it – how different would I be?really accepted it – how different would I be?

Date post:	01-Feb-2015
Category:	Spiritual
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Retrun to God: Journey of the Prodigal

Spiritual