We have much to be thankful for. May next week be a blessed time with whomever you are sharing a meal with. I can’t help but share something impressive that I learned in Bible Study a couple weeks ago. It is very fitting as we enter into Thanksgiving week with maybe some family and friends that are a bit hard to love.
The Bible study that I am currently in is called “Messy People” by Jennifer Cowart. I finished this Fall a book titled, “Love The Ones Who Drive You Crazy” by Jamie Dunlop. Hmmm, are you wondering like I am that God has me focusing on something?
What struck me is from week 2 when we studied the prodigal son. You can read the story in Luke 15:11-32. While I have read this particular story numerous times, understanding the Jewish customs behind it caused me to go, “Wow! What a clear picture of the love of Jesus towards me!” Since studying that lesson, I have been much more aware of the depth of God’s love for me which in turn has caused me to see Him more in everything. And this has caused me to abound with thanksgiving.
The story is of a father who welcomes home with open arms his wayward son. Prepare yourself to be wowed:
“By Jewish custom, a young man who lost his family’s inheritance in a foreign land and had the nerve to return to the village would be brought to justice through a custom called the kezazah, which means to be cut off. When the community discovered the money was lost and the family had been disgraced, they would surround him and break a pot at his feet. This would indicate that he was cut off from the community – as if never having been born. The kezazah was a harsh tradition and one that a loving parent would not want to see their child forced to endure.
“This father knows the tradition, and he isn’t going to allow it. Even though his son has broken his heart, he has been watching and hoping for his son’s return. He knows what will happen when the villagers see his boy. His son will be humiliated. The pot will be crushed, and his son will be lost to him forever. So before that can happen, the father does what no Middle Eastern man in Jesus’ day would do: he hikes up his robe and runs.
“And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
“Both father and son know the custom. The son recognized his mistakes and is prepared to return in shame as a hired hand. BUT, the wise father does not wait because he knows that unless he intervenes – unless he shows mercy; unless he disgraces himself by running in front of his servants, family, and village – the punishment will get to his son before his grace does. So he runs. And when he gets to his son, he embraces him, showering him with kisses. This display of love signals to everyone, especially his boy, that no pots will be broken here today!” (Messy People by Jennifer Cowart, pages 50-51)
Okay, who is like me and responds, “Wow, this exemplifies me, the prodigal son, and Jesus, the father who loves me beyond human comprehension to endure humiliation on a cross to defeat death so I could live and be unconditionally loved! Wow!”
Take the time to reread the story with you as the wayward son, seeing your need to return to God. Then there is the word but (which means you have hope), but Jesus waits for you, and when He sees you coming, He runs to you. He doesn’t wait. He runs to you! Meet Jesus with surrendered arms.
There is no greater love than Jesus loving (put your name here).
Now, take this glorious truth and walk into the coming days loving others as Jesus loves you with abounding thankfulness. As Jesus welcomes you, welcome those around you. Be His light for all to see.
Carol J German 