[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 02/May/2021]
We are all familiar with the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. After demanding his inheritance from his father and then going off and spending it all, he finds himself in desperate need and decides to return home. The father comes running to meet him, embraces him and throws a party in his honour.
Jesus doesn’t tell us how the son responded to his father’s forgiveness, although I think we are meant to assume that he gladly accepted it. But let us suppose that he reacted differently. After hearing his father’s speech he says: “Please don’t make me join the party. I can’t face all these people after everything I have done. I can hardly face you, as I’m so ashamed. Just let me work in the kitchen out of sight. I will gladly spend the rest of my life working for you as a servant to make up for what I have done.” How do you think the father would have felt? I think he would have been deeply hurt that his son was unable to accept his love and forgiveness. He didn’t want another servant; he just wanted his son back.
I often find myself haunted by memories of things I have said and done in the past, which bring back feelings of shame and self-hatred. I know that God has forgiven me and wants me to forgive myself, but this is easier said than done. One thing that helps me is to say out loud verses of scripture, like Romans 8 v 1 … “There is no condemnation for those who are united in Christ Jesus” or Psalm 103 v 12 “As far as the East is from the West, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” or Philippians 3 v 13, 14 “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.” Singing worship songs also helps turn my focus from my failings to God’s love.
I like to think that the prodigal son went into the party by his father’s side with his head held high and told all the guests what a wonderful father he had and how much he loved him.
Let us do the same.
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Contributed by Helen Ruffhead; © the Author
