SERIES
Sojourn: Toward an Enduring City
2016-10-16T08:00:00-05:00
18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright (c)2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. http://www.esv.org
This week’s sermon referenced the painting above, “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” by Rembrandt. It is a masterful portrayal of the dramatic climax of Jesus’ parable, as told in Luke 15:11-32. There are many interpretive layers to this painting, but one of the most obvious is how Rembrandt used the three main characters’ posture to convey their emotions. The tender love of the father is seen in his tender embrace the younger son. The deep contrition of the now impoverished younger son is seen in his kneeling and in his head laid on his father. And the self-righteousness of the older son is seen in his towering stiffness.
Consider for a moment how those emotions might have influenced lives of these two sons the next day. Both sons probably woke up still in shock that their father threw a party to celebrate the occasion. As he resumed his daily responsibilities, the older son likely did so with an all-too-familiar attitude of bitterness. But the younger son probably experienced a new attitude. As he reacquainted himself with life in his father’s house, the younger son was likely filled gratitude. Not long ago, he felt such strong entitlement that he asked for an advance on his inheritance. Now, he felt such profound gratitude for his father’s forgiveness and welcome that he was glad to take on whatever duties his father entrusted to him.
Peter too was a prodigal, and knew what it was to be welcomed home after time in the “far country” of sin (John 18:17; 25-27). So for him, the topic of holiness can never be divorced from the remembrance of our guilt and God’s grace (1 Peter 1:14-18). The remembrance of our rescue from "the passions of our former ignorance" and our "futile ways" rekindles our gratitude. And that gratitude propels us to pursue holiness with gladness.