The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ” ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. Luke 15:28-31
Most patient and kind Father, though I’d never boast about my “many years of slaving for you”… though I’d never even think of boasting in my record of obedience to your commands, nevertheless, I do acknowledge that there are times when my ingratitude matches that of the older brother. I can hear myself thinking, if not saying, “you never gave me… even a young goat”. What’s with that, Lord? Really… what are the “young goats” you’ve never given me? O the pouty, whiney, mealy-mouthed grossness of my ingratitude.
You are constantly running to me in the gospel… inviting me, imploring me, pleading with me to get on the dance floor of your grace… to enjoy the music of reconciliation… to sing the songs of redemption… to make merry to the glory of God. You are constantly saying to my grumbling, complaining, discontented self-righteous face…
“My son, you’re always with me because I’m always with you. Nothing will ever separate you from the everlasting love I have for you, and all my children. I greatly delight in you. I rejoice over you with singing. Everything I have is yours. All your sins are forgiven, including your gross ingratitude. I’ve declared you to be righteous in my beloved Son. I’ve hidden your life in his. I’ve begun a good work in you, and my whole broken world, that I will bring to completion. I’ve made you a co-heir of the new heaven and new earth. You are destined for an eternity of perfect relationships… perfect everything. Come, let us rejoice and be glad.”
O, Father, have mercy on me, the sinner. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ peerless and praiseworthy name.