Be Holy as I am Holy

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.