Make a Comeback!

(This is an abridged version of the Homecoming sermon preached at Epworth Chapel, Baltimore on 9/11/11)

Luke 15:11-24

In Luke 15, we find the story of a family – a household - that found itself in distress and dysfunction. These two sons and their father found themselves mired in conflict and contempt – unable to resolve their controversy, unable to cope with one another in light of their different visions and hopes for life. One son, older, loyal in his own estimation, and content to stay home and care for family affairs. His younger brother, seemingly less loyal, more impulsive, and selfish. Wanting something different for his life – wanting to step out from behind his brother’s and father’s shadow, and explore the world for himself.

And a father – who had labored and toiled for all that he had. A father who had sweated, scrimped, scraped, sacrificed, saved, and pinched - and now had a modicum of wealth that he could call his own. A father who had hope for the future, plans for his sons, glad that he had put enough money in the bank that one day, his sons would inherit his wealth, and be set for life.

But here comes the youngest son, wanting his piece of his father’s inheritance, and wanting it now. Wanting to strike out on his own. Wanting to see and to know the world. And so this young man takes what his father gives him, and goes to another land.

And here this young man finds himself new to this unknown world. Money in his pocket, and all the temptations of the world in his midst. People and situations more savvy than him, lurking to take what is his, and leave him with nothing.

That’s the way of the world, isn’t it? There is always enough temptation to consume us if we move too far away from home – too far away from our roots too – and far away from God.

And so this young man finds himself at the point of utter despair, desolation, despondency. He finds himself disappointed, discouraged and depressed. He discovers that he is down to his last penny, broke – no hope and no joy.

And then, this young man – comes to his senses - and decides that it’s time to make a comeback and go back home.

The reality is that families today face severe difficulties. It would not be an overstatement to declare that we are living in very trying times. Times when there are wars and rumors of wars. Times when there are plagues and threats of plagues. Times when there is criminal activity the likes of which we have never experienced. Times when there is violence against babies too young to have done any harm. Times when those who have been elected, selected, and appointed to protect us from evil doers have been found doing evil themselves.

These are times when budgets are sufficient to support killing, but somehow insufficient to support literacy, health care, and drug rehabilitation. Times when there is talk of slot machines that will too often take the money of those with the least means - the desperate, the downtrodden and the disinherited. Times when our pulpits are too populated by prosperity preaching.

These are times when many of our children are afraid to go to school. Times when people are living in terror, never knowing when one or more of our growing number of enemies will launch another surprise attack. Times when we are afraid to travel, and afraid to stay home. Yes, we live in times of political unrest, economic instability, and spiritual bankruptcy. It would indeed not be an overstatement to declare that we are living in trying times.

And it is at some point that we are like the prodigal son. At some point, we must come to our senses, and realize that it is time to make a comeback and go back home. It’s time to reconsider our priorities as families, as churches and communities. It’s time to count the costs of living for the world and not for God. It’s time to thank and praise God for the little things of life – the things that we might have take for granted in our strivings for the joys and ways of the world.

This young man made up his mind and said “I’m going to make a comeback and go back home.”

When we think on this parable in Luke, we discover that the story is really not only about a son who squandered all that he once possessed. Nor is this parable only about a father who welcomed his wayward son back home. It’s not really only about loyalty or disloyalty. It’s not even only about sibling rivalry; nor is this story really only about wealth or poverty.

On careful analysis, we discover that what Jesus was really trying to let people know in his day, and let us know today is something about the grace of God. The Grace of God helps us to see that God will supply all of our needs according to his riches in glory. The grace of God helps us to realize that God’s love and mercy is sufficient to cover all of our faults and failures. The Grace of God lets us know that God will look beyond our faults and see our needs.

Just as this young man was welcome home by his father, God will welcome us back. Thank God for grace that is available to each of us who seeks to return to God.