Lost and Loved

Luke 15: 11-24/ Jeremiah 31: 1-9

Being lost and found is a pretty common theme throughout the bible.  As children of God, we repeatedly get lost, move away from God and then God seeks us out and leads us back to a relationship with God. 

This week, our biblical characters don’t even know they are lost at first.  Jeremiah has spent his career as a prophet calling the Israelite people back to God.  They are wandering through life, and while they know things are bad they think that’s just life.  They don’t realize that many of their challenges are a result of their rejection of God.  God has been using Jeremiah for years to help them find their way out and remember the blessing of following God and being in a right relationship with God.  The prodigal son also doesn’t realize he’s lost at first.  He’s been given his inheritance early, he is living it up while he is still young and nobody is going to tell him what to do, or how to spend his money or live his life!  He has turned his back on the source of his livelihood and he is living in blissful ignorance. 

When he asked for his inheritance early it was a slap in the face to his father.  One of my clergy mentors, Dr. Stowe once explained it this way.  In those times, asking for inheritance early wasn’t like someone today getting an advance to buy a house or pay off bills.  He was, in essence, telling his father- “I wish you were dead!” This wasn’t some heat of the moment rebellious teenager’s empty threat meant to hurt his father’s feelings.  This request said- you are dead to me and I don’t need or want you in my life.  Imagine how hurt and betrayed the father felt.  He had done everything in his power to provide a good life for his children with everything the son could have ever wanted; extravagant food, nice clothes, a home, servants, security and a wealth which could sustain him and his family.  He was building an inheritance that could provide for them for generations not just so he could squander it away on temporary pleasures and short sited goals. 

Maybe you struggle to relate to these characters.  Maybe you were always the good child who did everything your parent said.  Maybe you never said a cross word or rebelled and sought independence.  Maybe you have never felt betrayed the way this father does.  Maybe your teenager never said those dreadful words- I hate you! Maybe they never ran away from home, stole from you or lied to you.  You may not know that that feels like but God does. 

God has given us all we need to live a happy, healthy life with gifts, grace and the opportunity for a relationship with Jesus Christ.  But, every time we go against what we know is right.  Every time we break a promise to God and each other, every time we purposefully step away from the life God has given us- God feels betrayed.  God weeps every time we decide we are in control and we don’t need God.  Every time we use the gifts God has given us to hurt ourselves and others God’s heart breaks. 

We often, like this son, may not even know what we are doing.  We are seeking after what the world says is so wonderful.    It is the playmate that tells us to steal the candy, they will never miss it, or the co-worker who convinces you to fudge the numbers on our time-sheet and check out early so you can get a head start on the weekend- no one’s going to know! Or the credit card company who so diligently temps us to buy that thing we want but don’t really need- you can pay for it later- it is no big deal- who cares if it will take you years to pay it off!  It is the seduction that leads you to cheat on your spouse or the friend that convinces you to stay at the party a little longer- one more drink won’t hurt. 

It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt but it is hard to convince someone of the dangers when they are having so much fun and it seems there are no consequences.  We are traveling down the road, driving around and around in circles and we don’t even know we are lost.  That is how the prodigal son felt, until the money ran out at least.  It was only after hitting rock bottom that he realized he was lost.  When the consequences kick in- that’s when we finally realize we are lost- you get arrested, lose your driver’s license, your job, your spouse, or file for bankruptcy because we can’t pay the credit card bills. It is then that we feel convicted that we have lost our way, maybe we can’t do it on our own after all.  But where do we go from here- all of our bridges have been burned, haven’t they? 

The son, repentant of his mistakes decides to go home; willing to do anything to make it up to his father, unsure if he will even take him back, but he has nowhere else to turn.  To his surprise, the father welcomes him back with open arms.  Although the father was heartbroken by his son’s choices, he never once stopped loving him, and even watched and waited for his return daily and not just waiting but willing to run to him, embrace him and return him to full family status. 

The father never stopped loving his son.  Never stopped watching, waiting and hoping for his son to come home.  It was a choice the son had to make on his own but never the less; the father was more than willing to welcome him back to the family.  God loves us the same way.  Even when we stray, even when we have done things that cause God’s heart to break or feel betrayed- we are still loved.  Even when it seems all our bridges have been burned, God is waiting with open arms to welcome us home. 

The authors of “Beginnings” the bible study used as a jumping off point for this message points out that we don’t know what happened next.  Jesus doesn’t tell us if the son stayed and became a dedicated and loyal member of the family or if once his stomach was full and his needs met he returned to his old habits and rebellious ways.  We don’t know the rest of the story and maybe there is a reason for that.  It doesn’t really matter.  Jesus loves us no more and no less.  Jesus wants us to know that no matter what we do; we are always loved and always have a place in his family if we want it.  God also calls us to love others in the same way.  Even when we feel hurt or betrayed we are not to remove our love and compassion, even if we don’t feel like they deserve it or because we doubt their change of heart is sincere.  We are called to love with the same unconditional love God gives us.  

We love because God loves us and because God’s love does not come with conditions, ulterior motives or even a way for us to earn it or pay it back.  God loves because God is love and we are to do the same- rich or poor, strung out or sober, unemployed or working over- time, Christian or not.  Our only job is to love them the same way Jesus loves us- warts and all.

Jeremiah 31:3 says:  I have loved you with a love that lasts forever- how amazing is that!  Holy Communion reminds us of this deep and abiding love.  We are reminded that Jesus loves us so much that he was willing to die so that all eternity could be saved.  This is the symbol of God’s never ending love for us.  Come to the table, remember God’s love, and then go into the world sharing that same love with others.