Guest Blogger: Pastor Bart Bouman

You are looking at my favorite piece of art. It is a painting by Rembrandt entitled “The Return of the Prodigal Son”. You’ll have to give it some artistic license. It didn’t happen like this. The embrace of the Father was on a road. The older son didn’t hear about it until later. I doubt there was a man sitting next to him in a chair! But Rembrandt is painting ideas. A picture is worth a thousand words. Don’t worry, mine will be less than that in this blog!   For today, I’d like you to consider the three main characters. First, the prodigal son. Notice how desperate he is. Shaven head. Missing and tattered shoes. Ripped clothing. His need has brought him to the end of himself. “God’s address is at the end of our rope.” But notice where he is – in the embrace of the Father. He has come home. He receives grace.  Second, notice the older brother. He is upright. Dressed regally. He is firm and assured. Yet, he is distant from the exchange of grace. He looks on in wonder. From the story we know he disapproves. He wants justice. He’s been worthy of love. Why should his unworthy brother receive this welcome? He resists grace.  Finally, look at the Father. Dignified love. Compassion in his face. He has taken his broken son fully into his heart. He is the source of light and love, a healing presence. The father who restores. His hands convey his character. One is long and slender like a woman. The other thick and strong like a man. Love and truth. He extends grace.  Which character do you connect with today? The younger son drinking in grace? The older son struggling with justice? The father as a channel of grace and truth to others? Wherever we are today, let us remember we have a Father who longs for us to be with Him.