Wednesday, May 29, 2019

The Prodigal Father

... is a lot like the parable of the woman caught in adultery. In that one, Jesus says, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." After everyone walks away, He doesn't tell the woman, "Party on!" Instead, He says, "Go and sin no more."

A friend was talking about the prodigal father this morning and made an interesting point. When the prodigal son comes home after blasting through his inheritance, which he should not have received until after dad died, his father does't line up hookers and blow for the dude. He forgives him and throws a party, but it's implicitly contingent on a change in behavior.

Forgiveness is a great thing, but getting repeatedly run over supporting bad behavior isn't.

Just something to think about.

Son, I forgive you. Also, here's some meth!

3 comments:

Mostly Nothing said...

But still there is Peter asking how many times one should forgive.

ligneus said...

When Jesus discovers the crowd were gathered to stone to death a woman caught in adultery and angrily commands, 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone!', there is silence. Then a little old woman struggles to the front of the crowd, picks up a rock and smashes it in the woman's face, leaving her with blood pouring down. Jesus turns to the little old woman and says, 'You know Ma, you don't half p' me off sometimes.'

K T Cat said...

Forgiveness is a wonderful thing. Enabling isn't. I can't think of any parable where the point is to enable bad behavior.