Ever been in a theatre engrossed in a movie and you suddenly for a moment realize - you're part of an audience? Maybe you wonder - Who are these people? Why did they choose this movie, too? Who we think the audience is for a story impacts our ability to participate with that story.
Jesus tells His story - often referred to as "The Prodigal Son" to an audience that contained two groups of people: irreligious social outcasts who were drawn to Him and His message, and morally upright “Pharisees” angered by Jesus’ acceptance of the irreligious social outcasts. We often focus on the irreligious - younger son in the story but Jesus told the story to challenge the morally upright religious people's understanding of lostness.
The parable is brilliant in that it assures all listening of the prodigal-ness of the love of the father while courageously demonstrating that love as Jesus exposes the hidden self-righteousness that simultaneously repels the “outsiders” who long for Jesus while insulating “insiders” from the freedom of Jesus love.
Jesus story is actually a gracious display of God's love as Jesus came to reveal a Father whose reckless, lavish and extravagant love pursues both the sinner who has run away in rebellion and the self-righteous person who has stayed home in heartless obedience.
This week we're asking - Where do you see yourself in the story?
