15th December – Luke 15

15

Luke 15

Calum Piper

Calum is Curate of St. Hilary’s and is married to Jess. He loves being out by the coast and is a keen athletics fan.

As we read on today in Luke 15 Jesus is still talking in parables. He is still using the power of storytelling to engage with people. As I think back to childhood story times or even of going to watch pantomimes at this time ever year, the stories that were told were always tided up and completed by the end. Nothing was ever left undone; the story was always finished in a complete way.

 In verse 11 to 32 we find the parable of the lost or prodigal son. A well known story by so many and testimony of God’s faithfulness, abundance and forgiveness. This story plays a major role in many people’s faith journeys. But have you ever noticed in detail verse 28? ‘The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him’ (NIV). We never find out whether the older brother actually went in a joined the party.
 Christmas is traditionally a time for family and for happiness, much like the party that was going on in the parable. Yet for many there won’t be those families, or the families will be there but the joy and happiness will be lacking because of disagreements or bad experiences. We have all fallen out with friends and family members and struggled to forgive.
 But, this story is a story of God forgiving his child even though shame was brought on the family name. If God can forgive acts of shame, dishonour and abandonment time and time again, and throw a party to demonstrate it – there appears to be a call for us to do likewise.
 The older brother was invited in to the party but we don’t find out whether he ever went. We have an opportunity in these last few days of advent to put things right with family members and friends, to put difficulties aside and to allow them and ourselves to join a party together.

 

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