A Robe and A Ring
http://www.reactlove.com/2010/09/robe-and-a-ring/
A couple of months ago, I talked about the "F" word. It's really a hard word to say to people, but many of times it really needs to be said. One of the best illustrations of God's forgiveness for us, is found in the parable of the Prodigal Son. In it we get to see a young man mess up, and completely defy his father, his older brother and his name sake. You know the story. The young son asked for his inheritance from his dad, then went and blew it all on worldly pleasures that didn't last. He then reached rock bottom, or should I say the mud pits, and decided to come home. Then, forgiveness happens. On the way up the road to his father's house, he is bulldozed by an older man that won't stop hugging him. It's his father.
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. -Luke 15: 21-24
I grew up being taught that this story was about the young son that blew all of his money, and lived of the world. Then I formed an opinion about it being all about the older brother, and how we are to not be jealous of others. It's about neither. It's about a robe and a ring.
Our Heavenly Father, on the day that we asked for forgiveness, he took our sins and moved them as far as the east is from the west. Did you notice that the young son's father didn't ask to hear about where his son had been, or why he smelled and was so dirty? The son even started to explain what he had done. But all the father said was, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger..."
How many robes and rings have you handed out lately? Is there someone that you need to run to and hug? Remember, forgiveness is about NOT remembering. Once you place that robe on someone's shoulders and that ring on their finger, they're forgiven.
Who needs a robe and a ring from you?
Created over 1 year ago
