Luke 15:21

21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

Luke 15:11-32 The parable of the prodigal son.

The day’s dawn started with a very fine ray of red being enclosed by the clouds and then the rain and gloom of a typical British cloudy day continued. Working all day within a room you don’t get the chance to experience nature and it felt like I would not experience any nature or get any images today.

I started the day with the above thought in my mind. I wasn’t in my usual buoyant mood, but as ever I didn’t let it show. I had made a simple poem to share with a class today which I will share with you now.

I used to mock….

I used to mock, I used to laugh, at everyone I thought I knew
I used to be a rotten child, They said “useless through and through”
I used to think that God wasn’t real, and faith was just a con.
I used to think it okay to steal, and that I was the important one.
So I walked away from God that day, I turned and showed him my back
I searched for meaning in my way, and ignored the people who lack
Until I could not walk or run, until I had exhausted my feet.
and I turned and came back down that shore, and found him sitting in his seat.
So I look forward this year in faith, as I used to be in despair.
So I walk forward this year in truth, as I used to walk without care.
So I will encourage all I meet, as I used to criticise and mock.
and I will pray to the Lord my God, that He will become our foundation rock

The poem talks about how as a child I used to actively mock Christians for their belief – oh not to their face, but behind their back.

What did I do to deserve to be chosen by Christ back then, and why does God never give up on me?

And as I walked back into the drive I was being showered in rain, which was cooling me down, like the rain was washing my sins away. I turned to look at the garden and saw the thorn bush with rain on it. It is strange how the dark effects the colours when the cars headlights are flashing past turning the rain red. For a minute it reminded me of the crown of thorns bared by Christ and his blood He shed for us, and it suddenly dawned on me that it is not about what I have done. It is never about what I have done, or could do. It is about the sacrifice that Jesus made once and for all.

The parable of the prodigal son reminds me that God accepts us back every time and there is no thing that can turn Jesus away from accepting you or me back into the fold. The sacrifice on the cross is bigger than any sin. The crown of thorns and the blood remind us that we are washed clean through Christ.

John 15:5

 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

As we go about our days, I pray that we remain in Christ, we spend time with Him and ask for his guidance. As we are tested in our faith I pray that we do not lose sight of the amazing sacrifice given freely for everyone and how the Father will accept anyone and that we turn to Him in our darkest moments.

Blessings

Graham