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Sermon by Diana Schuman

Father's Day 2003

Father's Unfailing Love

Texts: 1 John 3:1; Luke 15:11-32

First of all, I'd like to acknowledge that this is Father's Day. Would all of you who are fathers please raise your hands. You fathers have an awesome responsibility to live their lives in such a way as to be a good role model for your children, teaching them, advising them, guiding them, loving them, forgiving them -- whether they are young or grown. Whether or not they are the born of your seed, may they be born of your heart. God's grace shine upon you now and always. AMEN

Jesus told many parables, the talents, the Good Samaritan, the lost coin, the Sower -- to illustrate God's relationship to us.

While the spiritual illusion is there in all of them, it is the story of The Prodigal Son that is perhaps the easiest to understand because it takes its example from real life whether 2000 years ago or today.

The parable depicts the amazing availability of God to forgive and restore us, his limitless grace to bestow upon us, His great love to accept us independently of our status or our past. We learn that God's love for us is constant; it never changes.

"A man had two sons and the younger asked for his share of the estate ..." familiar words, words that have been the beginning of sermons dealing with sons and daughters that have walked away from the family into drugs, prostitution, crime, or denial of faith with the emphasis being on the return home to God who will forgive and restore. While the older son feels very much left out of the ensuing celebration upon the younger's return, the Father shows his love to both.

So often the first born is the responsible sibling, the serious one, the one who grows up too fast and ends up perhaps acting like more of a parent to the younger ones. The only kid who is expected to be more perfect than the first born is the only child. In many homes, the older sibling reminds the younger ones about birthday presents for the parents (and often is the one who pays for them), how he or she "should" be doing something or going somewhere out of respect for the family.

And that older child is sometimes just a tad resentful of the free-spirit that the younger child often expresses who just seems to get away with everything and then shows a million dollar smile to the 'rents and all is OK.

While we can certainly rejoice that the younger son came to his senses in the middle of that hog pen and the father was overjoyed to see him return, I am sure many of us have pondered and perhaps agreed with the older son that we, too, deserve a party for being the good child and how the old folks often just take that first born for granted.

Rather than discuss this parable from the usual perspective that we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God and that we need to repent and come home to Father God who will rejoice at the sight of the sinner on bended knee, this morning I would like to discuss this story from the Father's perspective.

I know the concept of God as Father is difficult for some of you whose fathers may have been absent due to work or war, death, disease or divorce, incarceration or ignorance, who may have viewed the presence of you and your siblings as a burden that interfered with golf or football or drinking with his buddies, who may have beaten or abused you--All hard situations that certainly color your view what a father is supposed to be like and especially how wonderful Father God really is. I would pray that the spirit of Jesus would take the pain, hurt and disappointment away and allow you to forgive your own less-than-perfect father and open your heart to hear and feel what God the Father is all about, not the God of vengeance and punishment but the God of love.

While I know that putting the parable into a modern setting often allows for greater understanding, I want us to leave this one in the time and place of 1st century Jerusalem. What kind of father was this?

He was rich and had accumulated an estate that was to be passed on to his heirs. Not only was he a father who was prosperous, he cared about his children and probably spent time with them. He was interested in them and available to them. He must have been competent to have amassed such great wealth and probably was well-known and highly respected in the community.

And what happens, the younger son asks for his inheritance before the old man is cold in the tomb -- sacrilege and a transgression against the family and the cultural heritage.

According to custom, the eldest would receive 2/3 and the younger 1/3. With an astute investor for a father the longer he waited to claim his share, the more there would probably be for him when his time came.

But in a heartless rejection of the home in which the son was born and nurtured and a break with the most precious tradition carefully upheld by the larger community of which he as a part, the son basically wished his father dead.

Rather than waiting until his father's death, he wanted it now.

"Look, Dad," he said in today's language, "you're going to die one of these days --and I hope it's a long way off. But when you do go, I'm going to inherit a large chunka change. Why should I have to wait till I'm too old to enjoy it. Let's just pretend that you're dead now and give me the money so I can go have a good time away from this jerkwater town."

And what happens? I would imagine that the father just didn't say OK. I am sure being a caring and compassionate dad, although he was probably incredibly hurt by his son's audacity and selfishness, he probably would have asked to sit down and talk about it. In the end, however, he agreed and let the boy go to his distant country despite the fact that this act is a drastic cutting loose from the way of living, thinking, and acting that has been handed down from generation to generation as a sacred legacy. It is more than just respect of the father. It is a betrayal of all the treasured values of family and community. But this father loved his son so much that he was free to leave home. Leaving with his pockets jingling and a spring in his step, the young man sets off only to eventually learn that money does not buy happiness and his has become a sorry lot with inadequate food and protection. He comes to his senses and heads for home repentant of his behavior and ready to accept the most meager of assistance from his father.

While he has been gone, what has the father been doing? Oh, I'm sure he was tending his business and his flocks and making sure all was well with his other son. Perhaps he bought and sold land and talked at the gate with the other gentlemen of the town. Perhaps, too, the others in the town may have made sly comments about his "no good" son and how he was an embarrassment to the family and entire community.

In the midst of going about his business out of the corner of his eye he watches the road. From the vantage of the front porch he scans the horizon. From his rooftop on a warm evening he looks hopefully in the distance.

Not as day goes by that he does not think about his son. The father is at home with a broken heart longing for his son's return.

While in this young man's childhood, not a day had gone by without his father's prayers for him now not one sunrise came without that father watching ... "Maybe today!" ... and ever hopeful, he arises and looks to the distance ....

While in this young man's adolescence, not a day had gone by without his father's love for him, now not one sunset went by without that father praying ... "Maybe tomorrow!" ... and he closes his eyes in a restless sleep.

But then one day he notices a figure very far away, a man walking very slowly with a downcast gate, looking most disheveled even from the distance. Hmm, a stranger, a beggar perhaps, someone to whom he will extend the tradition of hospitality and welcome him for food and safe lodging for the evening.

About to call to his servants to make ready for this traveler of unknown destination, the father notices something familiar about the dirty lad with the torn clothing and no pack upon his back.

That walk, that figure, though much thinner than last viewed, that countenance, though sad and remorseful -- his son, his son, his youngest son was on the road home.

No icy eyes did the father use. No, instead were eyes of love eagerly watching his returning son. There was no anger in his heart toward his son; he had nothing but pity for his poor boy, who had gotten himself into such a condition. It was true that it was the lad's own fault, but that did not come before his father's mind.

There were no "I told you so's," "I hope you've learned a good lesson," "so you finally came home" in his mouth. No, there was only a movement of his hand to his heart and a gasp issuing from his lips. "My son," he whispers almost afraid to say the words lest it be a mirage.

From the depths of the father's being, his heart went out to his son. And just as tradition was broken when the son demanded his inheritance early and broke his father's heart in the process, the father now breaks with tradition and hikes up his robes and runs to meet his son, swiftly covering far more distance than the slow painful steps of the ravenous, exhausted son.

Grown men in the Middle East didn't act that way, at least, not in public. It would have been considered totally undignified ... for a man of this importance to run down the street. After all, a nobleman never runs anywhere!

Remember, too, that this was no private reunion. The entire village would have seen the lad coming as well. They would be ready to taunt, physically abuse, or even lynch him, as he tried to re-enter the village! He had, after all, broken tradition with his disrespect when he walked away from the living, thinking, and acting that had been handed down from generation to generation as a sacred legacy something we in America really have little comprehension of where we don't hold onto too many traditions.

At the very least, the father should be waiting for his rebellious son to come and kiss his hand or feet and beg for forgiveness. But no he hiked up his robe, and ran in front of all the men, women, and children of the village!

Not only was he running, but his heart was pounding as if it would beat right out of his chest, he had tears of joy running down his cheeks -- he did not care how undignified he looked -- he did not care that his son smelled of sweat and swine -- his son was coming back and he couldn't wait to put his arms around him and kiss him.

And not just kiss him once but kiss him much ... kiss him fervently ... to express his overflowing love for his returning son ... a physical demonstration of self-emptying love which no words could possibly equal.

The son, his chin trembling says, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

Wiping tears from his face and looking his son straight in the eye, he does not respond with: "You are darn right! You are not worthy! Why you aren't worthy to be a slave for the poorest family in the village!"

Rather, before the son could say another word, the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him." Not just any robe, but his best robe! The type of robe that was worn at festivals and grand occasions. It was a gesture that demonstrated that he had accepted his son back.

The father then gave a shocking command when he said, "Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet." The ring signified full rights for the son. Today we would say it gave him power of attorney. The son now had the authority to manage the rest of the family fortune. He had squandered one third of the family's wealth and now the father was entrusting him with the remainder of the assets. What irony!

And the sandals... only sons wore shoes. He came home barefoot, as a servant, but now, his father is showing he's a son!

And if all of this was not enough, the father exclaimed, "Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate."

He came in rags, and was adorned in splendor. He came hungry for food and meaning and purpose in his life; the father fed him a banquet and give him authority within the household. He came home unworthy... and because of his father's loving compassion, his life was restored to full stature and changed forever!

The father does not say ... "Son, if you show me you love me I'll give you this," but "I GIVE YOU ALL THIS BECAUSE I LOVE YOU" This is unconditional love.

It's the same message that the prodigal father later gives to the older son.

When his brother returned, tradition would have required him to welcome his brother, socialize and join the feast.

But when he finds out what has happened, he refuses to go in and is effectively humiliating his father in public.

For the second time the father ignores convention and goes out to invite his older son in and join in celebrating his brother's return.

He does not come to rebuke his elder son for his inappropriate behavior, rather he comes pleading for him to join the celebration and welcome his brother home. "Your brother was dead and is now alive. He's home, he's come home!"

But his son only adds further insult by not even giving his father a title of address. He complains that he has worked all these years without acknowledgment.

He accuses his father of favoritism and in his attack on his younger brother, he does not even acknowledge the relationship by saying, "This son of yours." He has been obedient, dutiful, law-abiding, hardworking and self-sacrificing, yes, living right in the father's house and using his 2/3 share of the inheritance, but full of resentment and complaints with a heart in a far off country.

The older son figures the younger one should not receive such a party and should, if anything, be punished for his behavior.

The father does not retaliate in kind. Nor does he defend himself or even comment on the elder son's behavior. There is no recrimination.

The father simply states his intimate relationship with his son when he says, "You are with me always." The father's declaration of unqualified love eliminates any possibility that the younger son is more loved than the elder. The elder son has never left the house. The father has shared everything with him. He has made him part of his daily life, keeping nothing from him. "All I have is yours." There could be no clearer statement of the father's unlimited love for his elder son.

In his jealousy and bitterness, the elder son can only see that his irresponsible brother is receiving more attention than he himself.

The father's free and spontaneous response to his younger son's return does not imply greater love. To the contrary, it is an expression of his incredible joy which he wishes to share with his other son.

His unreserved, unlimited love is offered wholly and equally to both is sons.

His heart goes out to both of his sons; he loves them both; he hopes to see them together as brothers around the same table; he wants them to experience that, different as they are, they belong to the same household and are children of the same father.

One was far from home geographically, one spiritually. His compassion and unfailing love is for both of them.

Before any human being touches us, God "forms us in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth." Before anyone can know anything about us, God "knits us together in our mother's womb" and "engraves us on the palm of his hand."

God loves us before any human person can show love to us. He loves us with a "first" love, an unlimited, unconditional love, a love pure enough to let us be free.

The Lord loves us so much that He will even allow us to turn from Him at times if this is what we truly choose.

How He grieves when we turn from him and suffer the consequences of evil. While weeping at our pain, in His love He allows this because in His infinite wisdom He foresees that sometimes it is only through the process of the journey that we can finally choose what is good, fight for what is good, and make what is good our own.

Yet, even if we do choose to turn from Him, unlike the physical father in the story, He is not passive. If we do choose to turn from Him, He still protects and guides us every step of the way. He is with us on the perilous journey.

We may think we have run away to freedom, but from the Lord's perspective, He never leaves us. He is actively protecting, guiding and leading while we are in the distant land.

It says the son was almost to the point where he was about to eat the food of the pigs, but he didn't eat it. A person who has been in a downward spiral will often say, "Yes, I was in terrible shape, but somehow there was something preventing me from going all the way down to hell. Something was holding me back." The Lord's hand is there protecting us.

The Lord causes us to remember something familiar, something worthwhile in or past, our home, perhaps. In the story the son remembered his father's house. We hear the words, "I will arise and go to my father." We may or may not say those exact words but our heart leads us back to the father who loves us.

The son may have begun the journey home with an impure motivation, seeking food and shelter only. But his father did not require anything higher than this. His love was so complete and unconditional that he simply welcomed him home.

Henri Nouwen in his wonderful book "Return of the Prodigal Son," tells us, "God does not require a pure heart before embracing us. Even if we return only because following our desires has failed to bring happiness, God will take us back. Even if we return because being a Christian brings us more peace than being a pagan, God will receive us. Even if we return because our sins did not offer as much satisfaction as we had hoped, God will take us back. Even if we return because we could not make it on our own, God will receive us. God's love does not require any explanations about why we are returning. God is glad to see us home and wants to give us all we desire, just for being home."

There stood his son ready to confess his sin; yet what did his father do? His father "ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him"... kissed him eagerly. He did not delay a moment; for though he was out of breath, he was not out of love. "He fell on his neck, and kissed him much."

God will never give a Judas-kiss, and betray those whom He embraces. There is no hypocrisy with God; He never kisses those for whom He has no love. Oh, how God loves you, his precious child! You, his child who repents, and comes to Him, will discover how greatly He loves you. There is no measuring the love He bears towards you. He has loved you before the foundation of the world, and He will love you when time shall be no more.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning."

The prodigal had many sins to confess; but before he came to the details of them, his father had forgiven him. "I have not only forgiven, but I have forgotten too. It is all gone, clean gone. I will never accuse you of it any more. I will never love you any the less. I will never treat you as though you were still an unworthy and untrustworthy person. Your sin is all gone, and will never be mentioned any more. Come to my heart, my child! "

The story of the prodigal son is really the story of a God who goes searching for you and who doesn't rest until he has found you and then He rejoices -- Not because the problems of the world have been solved, not because all human pain and suffering have come to an end, not because thousands of people have been converted and are now praising him for his goodness.

No, God rejoices because ONE of his children who was lost has been found. What we are called to do is to enter into that joy. It is God's joy, not the joy that the world offers. It is the joy that comes from seeing a child walk home amid all the destruction, devastation, and anguish of the world.

No matter how far you have gotten into sin, you never stop being a child of God. You may not look like it, you may not live like it, you are always the Father's child! When you come home, He places the shoes of sonship on your feet and restores you to that place of standing before himself and before the world.

Others may not receive you, like the older brother, but God does, and He will never be ashamed of you. We are reminded of the words of Isaiah, "For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness."

God has never pulled back his arms, never withheld his blessing, never stopped considering loving. Just as the Father in the parable couldn't compel his son to stay home, He can't force his love on you. He has to let you go in freedom, even though he knew the pain it would cause you and him.

My dad and I used to play a game when I was little. I'd ask him how much he loved me and he would say, "This much" (showing index finger and thumb). We would proceed asking and responding while he showed me "this much" and then "this much" (hands spreading further and further apart) until finally he would say, "THIS MUCH" and his arms would be totally outspread and I would run laughing into them and he would surround me with those arms.

Many years later some friends gave me a little wooden plaque that says, "I asked Jesus, 'How much do you love me?' And Jesus said, 'this much --' and he stretched out his arms and died.

Unconditional, forgiving love... a description of our Heavenly Father's love for us! A physical demonstration of self-emptying love... a description of Christ's love for us demonstrated on the cross!

If you are distant from God because of some sin that you feel cannot possibly be forgiven,

if your piety is preventing you from having a personal relationship with God,

if you lack peace in your heart,

if there is a hunger in your spirit that will not be satisfied despite all you acquire ...

Run to God right now...

He's running even faster toward you... let yourself be held completely in his safe embrace... soak in His love for you...

You are his beloved and in you he is well pleased.

Welcome home! Let the party begin!

� 2003, Diana Schuman

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