A New Heaven, A New Earth, A New Commandment

Peter experiences a vision, not just once but three times. In the vision God shows him every living thing he ever created. Then he told him to “kill and eat.” Now this went against everything that Peter had been taught by the teachers in the synagogue.

In the reading from Revelation John has a vision where he sees a “new heaven and a new earth and a ne Jerusalem.” In the vision he saw that God had moved into the neighborhood and was living among the men and women. He was shown in the vision that God was indeed in the world. What Jesus had told his disciples about the kingdom of God being right here, right now was in fact true.

This new heaven and earth was a place where there were no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow. Everything the human race thought they had all figured out was being tossed out the window with the wash water. All the rules, all the laws of nature, everything that scientists and mathematicians thought they had figured out, all that was gone. Everything was being made new. There was a new dimension being revealed that no one ever knew existed. God was showing it first to John in a vision.

As if this isn’t enough “new” for us John tells us in his gospel of the “new commandment” Jesus gave them before he departed this world. That commandment was to love one another as he had loved them. Love everyone as Jesus had demonstrated to them by his teaching and his actions.

If they lived by his commandment showing love for everyone as Jesus had then everyone would know that they were truly his disciples.

On top of all that the psalmist reminds us that the whole world should be giving God praise for all that he provides.

So where should we begin? What’s the most important lesson for us today?

I think that the key point in the scriptures heard from the Word today is that God is love. Jesus was the perfect example for his disciples and for us. He lived his life in love for his Father, God, and love for all God’s children.

It did not matter what their station in life was. It did not make any difference to him what mistakes they had made or were still making in the lives. He invited himself to dinner. He invited them to join him wherever he was. He shared his love, God’s love, with them even before they had asked forgiveness for their sins. He just loved them as there were, where they were, unconditionally.

Just imagine what this world would be like if we were perfect examples of Jesus to the world where we live. But we aren’t perfect. We make mistakes. We turn our backs on folks who are begging for handouts. We try to not see those people who are scrounging through the garbage we set out at the curb to be picked up. We think that all the government agencies, all the non-profits, will take care of those who can’t find employment, who can’t afford the same health insurance we have.

But friends, is that love? Is that the example Jesus was to his disciples? He said, “Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another.”

How are we to love those who are doing the killing in Omaha? How are we to love those who abuse children and spouses? How are we to love those who are trying to destroy this country we call home?

Friends, it’s definitely not easy and it’s not something we can do through our own will power. In fact, if we try to do it all by ourselves we will fail miserably. We will make a terrible mess of everything.

The only way it’s possible to live lives of love as Jesus lived is to first off develop a close relationship with God. The only way to begin is by accepting God’s grace. God’s gift to us was given to us in the life and death of his Son, Jesus the Messiah.

God doesn’t ask anything of us because he knows it’s impossible for any of us to earn his grace. His grace is a free gift to us. He doesn’t expect anything from us except our acceptance of his Son, Jesus.

Will we ever get it right? Will we ever be able to perfectly love everyone? What do you think? Have you tried? How are you doing at loving everyone? I’m not doing so well. In fact, some days I fail so miserably that I wonder if God hasn’t given up on me.

By God’s grace I know that I’m forgiven. By God’s good grace we are all forgiven. We can’t give up. We must keep on trying. We must keep on loving. We must lean on God for stronger faith, more persistence, more stamina to continue the race we are running.

The goal is the new heaven, the new earth, the New Jerusalem and eternal life with the Triune God. We need to be reminded that God is love.

He is cheering us on. He is rooting for us to succeed. Friends, in his photo album your picture is on the front page. God has many front pages.

By God’s grace we will be filled with his love through his love for us in Jesus the Messiah. By God’s grace we will be enabled to share his love with all who come to us for nurture and help and love.

God loves you my friends and so do I. Amen.

Can You Relate?

Can you relate to the way the disciples felt after Jesus' death and resurrection? Have you ever had the rug pulled out from under your feet? How did that make you feel? Were you ready to give up? How were you able to get past your grief? Have you ever felt so lost and in such despair that you thought there was no way you could recover? But then you did and joy came into your life.

Maybe it happened bit by bit, a little ray of light breaking into the darkness just a little further everyday. Or maybe you experienced what the disciples did when Jesus suddenly appeared in the room when they were behind locked doors. One day you are lower than your shoe laces and the next day sunlight bursts through the darkness and you’re almost blinded by its brilliance.

And you wonder, how’d this happen? And the next thing you knew the light was gone and you were plunged into the depths of darkness again. The roller coaster ride was almost too much to take. You just wanted one or the other.

What do you do when life is tough or where do you go? Do you go to bed, pull the covers over your head and hope that when you wake up you’ll find out it was all a bad dream. It never is you know. Or do you run away and hope that you can outrun the darkness that has invaded your world. What do you do?

Do you go to your knees in prayer? Do you seek out your best friend? Do you rail against God? Do you look for answers in the clouds, alcohol, books, or The Bible? What do you do?

Or do you give up on God or maybe just think about giving up on God? Maybe you’ve done both. Did it help? Or were you so lost and so empty that you never thought you’d find your way back to God?

When we get to that point will God call us back? When you got to that point did God call you back or is he calling for you today? How did you recognize his voice? Where were you when you heard him calling you? What did you hear him say? Did he chastise you or were his words soft and kind, filled with love?

These are all the emotions the disciples felt. How do you think Peter felt? Listen for a moment to what Peter has to say…(Monologue written by Rev. Ann Scull)

I've made some big mistakes in my time! ... but nothing like the ones I made on the night when Jesus was arrested. It all started to go wrong when the soldiers came to arrest him. I couldn't believe it was happening! I jumped in like a real life Rambo and took a swipe at one of the arresting soldiers - but I only managed to remove his ear and before I could have another go, Jesus reached out and healed him. I was astounded. And as the crowd started to snigger, I felt big and stupid and clumsy. So I stood and watched them lead him away as it hit me that after three years I still didn't really understand what he was on about. But I couldn't abandon him. I followed the soldiers at a distance till they reached a courtyard. I tried my best to blend in but it was difficult. They all recognized me, the servant girl, the gatekeeper, and a big bloke who was a relative of the soldier whose ear I had removed! He recognized me in a flash!! And if they didn't recognize my face then my Galilean accent gave me away. They were all having a go at me - trying to make me admit I was one of his friends. But I couldn't do it. Three times I denied that I even knew him! I was so scared of what they would do to me. I caved in like a house of cards.
But that's not the worst of it. Jesus knew what I was doing! As the soldiers led him away he looked straight at me, our eyes locked through an open doorway.... and I could tell. He knew all right. And ....and there was nothing I could do! And I remember his words telling me I would do this awful thing. I felt ill just thinking about it. I ran outside and cried like a baby. It was as if my heart was breaking. In a matter of minutes, my whole world was in shatters.
After he was crucified, strange things happened. I was one of the first to see his empty tomb. He appeared to us all one Sunday when we met together in secret. But for me, life became even more difficult as the dark cloud of my denial of him spoilt any of the joy. It was as if there was a wall between us - a wall which I had built - which I didn't know how to remove. I was dying to speak to him but it was also the thing I dreaded most.
So I went back to my boats and the fishing. What else could I do? I didn't have the heart for it any more but it kept my hands busy. I conned a few of the others into fishing with me. And one morning as we returned home, there was Jesus - on the beach. I was so intent on speaking to him that I couldn't wait for the boat - instead I dived straight in and swam to shore. But I was tongue- tied. I couldn't say all the things that were on my heart. Instead I ran around doing everything he asked with all the enthusiasm I possessed. And my business and eagerness hid the wall between us - but could not break it down.
After breakfast, he took me for a little walk along the beach. I didn't know what he was going to say. The weight of my guilt blotted out any other thought. I couldn't think how to even start to say all the things I wanted to say. If I had tried to say that I loved him it would have sounded trite and hypercritical after all that had happened. But I didn't have to. Instead he asked me if I loved him! Three times I had said he was not my friend on that terrible night. Three times on the beach he asked me if I loved him. Three times I said yes with my whole heart. And I knew he believed me because he gave me a job to do - to look after his followers for him - a job that proved to me that he trusted me and that the past was forgotten and that the wall between us was gone.

Let’s go to the stations set up here in the sanctuary. What do you need? Who are you like? Are you like…

Station 1. Paul and his need for a new direction?

Station 2. Ananias and his need for courage?

Station 3. The disciples and their need for a new perspective?

Station 4. Peter and his need for forgiveness?

No adults came forward with any artistic creations on the "arrows" but the children certainly enjoyed the "barby" by the lectern.

Thanks to Ann Scull from somewhere in Australia for the ideas for this worship experience.

How Do We Know Jesus?

Jesus’ disciples were the first to witness the risen Lord. When he first appeared to them they were frightened and didn’t believe what they were seeing. And who could blame them? How many people has anyone ever seen come back from the grave? No one has ever done that that I know of, except Jesus.

The first time Jesus was present with the disciples Thomas wasn’t there. We don’t know where he was, but when the others told him they had seen Jesus he said that he wouldn’t believe it unless he saw with his own eyes the wounds caused by the nails in his hands and his feet, or the wound made by the soldier’s spear.

Later, when the disciples were gathered together in the same room where they had celebrated the Passover with Jesus, Thomas was there. Jesus again appeared among them even though the doors were locked.

This time he headed straight for Thomas and showing him his hands, feet, and side invited him to put his fingers there. Jesus told him to stick his hand in his side. John doesn’t tell us whether he actually touched Jesus or not but he did record Thomas’ response, “My Master, My God!”

He believed this was Jesus when he saw the wounds with his own eyes. This begs the question, “How do we know Jesus, the Christ?” Do we need to see his wounds? Wounds he received because he took upon himself all our sins. Do we need to put our fingers on his scars? What do we need so we believe?

How does God make Christ known to you? The Nicene Creed says…
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

The confessions, written by men and women, try to put into words the how and the why of it. In the Scot’s Confession we read… rebirth is wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost creating in the hearts of God’s chosen ones an assured faith in the promise of God revealed to us in his Word; by this faith we grasp Christ Jesus with the graces and blessings promised in him.

The Scots believed that it was by faith brought about by the power of the Holy Spirit that we know, grasp, Christ Jesus. We know that his resurrection was confirmed by the testimony of his enemies, and by the resurrection of the dead, whose sepulchres did open, and they did rise and appear to many within the city of Jerusalem. It was also confirmed by the testimony of his angels, and by the senses and judgment of his apostles and of others, who had conversation, and did eat and drink with him after his resurrection. (Scots 3.10)

They believed and so we believe because there were credible witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. Everything they witnessed was recorded and passed down through the generations to all of us who are sitting here today.

But there still are many who have doubts. And, friends, it’s not a bad thing to have doubts. In fact it’s in our human nature to doubt things unless they can be proved. We need to confirm them with all our senses and in some instances things must be proved with logical calculations.

So how do we know Jesus? How do we prove him? Can we say beyond the shadow of a doubt that he is real? Can we confirm Jesus’ presence with our senses? Can we prove that he existed and still exists with any logical calculations? I don’t think so. But, what do you think? Can you prove Christ?

The disciples, and Thomas, had it easier; they were there. They saw his wounds. They saw him eat, and cook, and they heard him teach. But, then he disappeared. How did they prove to those who never witnessed his reappearance that he actually was raised from the grave? How do we prove it?

I believe that it’s all up to God. I believe that God, through his Holy Spirit, grants his grace to people in their faith, in the Word, and in the distribution of the Sacraments at the Table and the Fount.

So, we believe by faith not our senses? What did our ancestors say? The Heidelberg Confession says…It is not only a certain knowledge by which I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word, but also a wholehearted trust which the Holy Spirit creates in me through the gospel, that, not only to others, but to me also God has given the forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation, out of sheer grace solely for the sake of Christ’s saving work. (Heidelberg Confession 4.021)

It’s not an easy thing to be a Christian. Especially when a friend puts us on the spot and says, “How do you know Jesus rose from the grave?” How do we prove it? How do we know Jesus and how can we prove him to others?

Friends, as I’ve said I believe God does all the work. Without his grace we aren’t able to do anything. So, I contend that we explain how God in Jesus and the Holy Spirit has worked, is working, and will continue to work in our lives. In other words, we tell our story and let them see and believe for themselves trusting in God to open their heart to him.

That’s what I believe, that’s how I know the Christ. How do you know Him? What do you believe and what do you base your belief on? What supports your belief? It’s not easy being a follower of the risen Christ but there are rewards, eternal life is one.

So, good friends, how do you “know” Jesus? That is the question I would like you to meditate, reflect on, and contemplate this week. Yes, you have homework and maybe there’ll be a test. Go to God’s Word, ask God in prayer to show you how he makes himself known to you in Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and then wait in silence for God’s response. Trust in God to reveal his answer to you.

Friends, we serve a risen Savior. He defeated death for us. He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the grave so we would no longer have to fear the grave. It doesn’t end there for us.

The tough thing for us is explaining to ourselves, and others, why we believe that. It’s all faith and faith comes from God by his grace. Pray that all will receive God’s grace.

Thanks be to God for his revealing, saving grace. Amen.

You're the Witnessess

The women went to the tomb where they had seen Joseph and Nicodemus and John place the body of Jesus. They went there to anoint the body with the burial spices and perfumes they had purchased and prepared.

Joseph had purchased the linens to wrap Jesus' body and Nicodemus had brought 75 pounds of spices to wrap in the linens. But they were only men and they wouldn't have prepared his body like the women would have.

There just wasn't time to do everything properly after they took Jesus' body down from the cross. The Sabbath was only a few hours away and it took time to do everything the way it should be done. So, they let the men do their thing and they planned on coming back on Sunday.

But when they arrived there they noticed that the stone had been rolled back; a stone that was so heavy and constructed in such a way that it would take three strong men to roll it back and put a chock in place to hold it. That was very strange in itself but when they bent over to look inside the tomb all they saw was two angels sitting there as if they were waiting for them.

You've heard the scriptures read this morning. You know the story they told. But isn't it typical of men that they didn't believe them when they told them what they had found? Of course, one of them had to go there to verify that what they had told them was in fact true.

Only Peter didn't see anything, not even one angel. All he found was an empty tomb. He was a little perplexed. It was all very confusing.

Why didn't they remember? Jesus had told them what was going to happen. He had told them how the prophets predicted the coming of the Messiah and what would happen to him. But it was like their ears were plugged with wax. And they went brain dead.

As the two who talked with Jesus on the road to Emmaus were telling their story Jesus appeared right there with them in the Upper Room. They were scared, almost to death. They were certain he was a ghost.

He showed them his hands and his feet. And then he asked for something to eat. Some leftover fish was all they had and he ate it in front of them.

How do we know all this? How can we believe what we are hearing is true? We can believe because those who were there were witnesses to what happened, first hand witnesses.

Jesus took advantage of the opportunity to tell them again what he had told them before. He taught them one more time what was written about him in the Laws of Moses, and in the Prophets and the Psalms.

Because they experienced this all first hand and then had it all explained to them again it became crystal clear to them that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. He was resurrected. He was alive! He was the real deal.

We know this today because they were there and they took the Great Commission to heart. They went into all the world making disciples and baptizing all nations in the name of the Trinity.

God sent Jesus into the world because he loved the world. He didn't send him because he condemned them but because he loved them so much. But he didn't come just for the Jews but for the whole world, all the nations. He came so that we might have life eternal.

So now you're the witnesses. It's your turn to go out into your world and make disciples by telling your story, sharing with others how Jesus has changed you. You are here today because of God's love for the world and the sacrifice Jesus made by giving his life for the sins of the world.

Friends, you are witnesses to God's love, God's joy, God's peace. You are witnesses to God's kingdom here on earth.

Believe what your heart tells you is true. Believe what you read in the Word. Jesus came into the world and died for our sins and rose again as proof that God defeated death. He went to hell for us and came back. Believe it!

Friends, listen to God's voice. Be a witness today to God's love for the world.

Give your heart to him and share God's good news with those you meet on your journey.

Thanks be to God for his wondrous love. Amen.

From Dancing in the Streets to the Road of Grief

We have just traveled with Jesus into Jerusalem as rode into that crowded city on the back of a small donkey. People laid their coats on the street and shouted “hosannas” as he came in with his band of followers.

The joyous mood quickly turned somber as they sat at the table to celebrate the Passover. Jesus took the cup and the bread, blessed them, and then instructed them to take these elements, eat and drink, and to remember him each and every time they did this. The full impact of Jesus’ words didn’t hit them until he came back to them from the grave.

I don’t think any of us here today can really understand the burden Jesus was carrying in his soul as he came into the city and then as he sat at the table with his apostles. All of us have had worries that weighed down upon us but nothing like the suffering and torment he was facing.

Try to imagine what it must have been like for Jesus to know that he was going to be betrayed by one of his chosen twelve. One of those sitting at the table celebrating the Passover with him was going to betray him with a kiss.

I wonder if he knew then just how much suffering and pain he was going to have to endure. If he did know exactly what his body and mind were going to go through it’s even more amazing that he went through clear to the end. Only because he was the Son of God was he able to endure the ridicule and abuse, the whipping and the beating, and the physical and mental torment. He did it all for you and me so that we could be forgiven.

Friends, none of us can go from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without going through Good Friday. Jesus suffered just as the Prophet said he would. He stood there and took everything because we couldn’t. No way could any human have done what Jesus did for us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As you walk with Jesus this week reread these chapters from Luke and reflect on what it was exactly that God did for us through Jesus’ sacrifice. And then we will all truly be ready to celebrate together on Easter Sunday.

Thanks be to God for his abundant grace. Amen.

What's God Doing Now?

If you knew that you only had a week to live where would you be and what would you be doing? Not many of us ever think about this; at least until we hear the words spoken loud enough that they get our attention.

In our gospel lesson from John Jesus is at dinner with his close friend Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. It’s implied that other disciples are there too. So you know the house is bustling with activity. Martha and Mary and maybe some servants are working to get the meal prepared. The men are probably reclining on the floor around a table set up for the meal. We can assume that the house is filled with many different odors, some pleasant and some maybe not so.

What could be better for hungry appetites than the smell of roasting lamb, freshly baked bread, and new bottles of wine? And what could be worse than the body odors of people who had just come in from walking on hot, dusty Galilean roads, dirty feet and perspiring bodies?

And into all this walks Mary with an expensive bottle of fragrant perfume she had been saving, probably for her brother, Lazarus’ burial. She falls to the floor at Jesus’ feet; she deliberately breaks the bottle open and the contents flow all over his feet. The overpowering aroma of the most exotic, precious perfume soon fills the room.

Mary uses her long hair to wipe the oil all over Jesus’ feet. You just know that every eye in the room is focused on Mary and Jesus. Every one is questioning in their minds, “What’s she doing?” We might also have questions. Mine would be, “What’s God doing now!”

You can be sure that none of the people who were there in that room ever forgot what happened. Every time just a whiff of that smell touched their nostrils the memories of that day came flooding back. And they were reminded of the significance of Mary’s actions. As they reflected and remembered they understood a little better what God was doing at that particular moment.

Each of our senses trigger deep seated memories but none is more powerful than our olfactory sense. You guys may not remember the name of the perfume you wife was wearing on your first date or on the day you were married but your nose will never forget. Every time you encounter that scent you’re reminded of day in your life.

You know how it is when you walk into a home and you run square into the smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. You’re immediately transported back in time to another time in your life that was especially meaningful to you.

It’s entirely possible to experience the same transformation in worship. It might be the smell of candles, or burning incense, or fresh cut flowers that reminds of a certain worship experience or a special spiritual happening. The sensual memories are so strong that we’re flooded with remembering.

What Mary did with the perfume was considered extravagant. Judas thought it was wasteful. And he probably wasn’t alone in his opinion. But Jesus squelched all of that thinking in the bud when he said, “Leave her alone.”
Jesus knew what God’s plans for him were. He knew his death sentence was imminent so why not let Mary anoint his feet. Jesus knew what God was doing. We, on the other hand just like the disciples, aren’t always as intuitive. We often ask ourselves, “What’s God doing now?” Or we ask, “What’s God going to do now?”

The Prophet reminds us God’s doing a new thing. We’re told not to look back. Don’t think about the old days; they’re over and done with. God is doing a new thing. He has new plans and it’s nothing like he’s done before. So, what’s God doing now?

You know, that’s a really good question. What do you think God is doing now? The session has been reflecting on that question for three or four months now. It’s not always easy to know what God’s up to.

Our Old Testament lessons remind us that God does things way beyond anything we can ever imagine. The wilderness their ancestors lived in for 40 years was going to be transformed with water, rivers flowing through them. Whatever it is God does it’s always a surprise, way beyond our wildest dreams.

Everyday when I wake up and stumble out of bed I wonder, “What’s God going to do today?” Sometimes as the day progresses the question changes to, “What’s He doing now?”

Friends, Mary gave a very extravagant gift to her rabbi and her friend. I wonder what it felt like to give such a precious gift and pour it out on Jesus.

I asked the young folks to think about their most precious possessions now it’s our turn. What are our most precious possessions? What is God planning to do with them if we give them up to Him? Is it possible for us to let go of them and let Him have them?

If we did would we stop asking, “What’s God doing now?” I don’t know. Maybe we’d be filled with awesome wonder and unable to put our experiences into words. It might be that our senses would be better at remembering and knowing what our Creator is up to.

I was reminded as I read these passages that just as Jesus was journeying to the cross and his death so are we moving toward death. Every day brings us closer to that moment. Can we with Paul give it all to Jesus so that we can experience the resurrection? Is it possible for us to give Him our most precious and costly possessions trusting in God’s providence? That was Paul’s plan. Everything else he used to think had value was just rubbish now compared to what Christ offered. He wasn’t looking back. He wanted to be in on whatever God was doing at that moment without question.
The question for us today is, “Are we ready to give it all to Him who died so that we might be free?” Are we ready to join God in whatever he’s doing today, without question?

Our old sinful natures will call our decisions “rubbish” just like the Pharisees said about the things Jesus did, but not our Father. He will take the meager offerings of our lives and transform them into gems that are too precious to put a price to.

What’s God doing now? He doing wondrous, new things that we never imagined were possible. That’s what God’s doing now. And he ready to take our lives and change them too. Can we take the first step and commit our all to Him?

Friends, God loves you and is waiting for you to come to Him. Thanks be to God. Amen.

How Long Will He Wait?

The parable Jesus told about the youngest son who went to his father and asked for his inheritance before his father had died made me wonder, “How long will God wait for us?”

In the parable the father is “God”, the older son is the “religious of Jesus’ day, those who are judging everyone else and thinking they are better”, and the younger son is “everyone who becomes impatient and wants their reward now.” Some days I’m the older son and some days I’m the younger son. Which ever one I am I know that I’m a sinner. I’m not living the way God would have me live. And so I wonder how long will God wait for me to return to him.

There probably aren’t many people who haven’t wished for their inheritance when they were young and they could have used it to buy a house or a car or maybe start a business. But who among us would have had the nerve to go to our father and ask him for it before he died? I couldn’t have.

We all know people who have inherited great wealth in their youth and we have watched as quite a few of them didn’t’ manage their inheritance very well. Some may have lost everything and others may have come very close to losing it all. And we have all probably wondered why. We have probably thought it was ill advised to give such wealth to someone so young and so inexperienced.

We may have seen some like the “prodigal” who made terrible mistakes and realized that fact and were accepted back into the family circle, forgiven. It probably doesn’t happen very often.

All of us have watched these events unfold in the lives of people we know but we don’t often place ourselves in their shoes. The reason we don’t is because we’re not comfortable in someone else’s shoes. We’d like to think it’s because they don’t fit right but it might also be because we don’t want to admit that they fit us way to well.

Friends, we’ve heard this story many, many times before and we always tell ourselves that’s not me. I wouldn’t do that. The truth is every one of us does do that. At one time or another we have been either the younger son who asked for all or we were the older son who griped because our Father forgave someone of their wrongs and we didn’t believe they should have been forgiven. And we more than likely believe that the one asking for forgiveness isn’t truly sincere in their repentance.

Oh, but for the grace of God there goes you and me. In fact we have all been there. We know we have. We just don’t like to admit it. And we are amazed that God has waited this long for us. We can’t believe that he has forgiven us for those terrible things we’ve done. Or maybe we can’t believe that he will forgive us.

The truth is God will wait as long as it takes for us to come to our senses. Jesus is saying in this parable that God is just waiting for us to turn around and start walking back to him. He is listening as we are rehearsing our repentance speech. In fact he may be assisting us in our choice of words.

How long will God wait for us sinners to come back and repent? He will wait forever or at least until Jesus returns again.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, “How long are we going to wait until we come to him with our laundry list of sins and beg him to take us back?” How long are we going to wait before we admit that we have squandered the gifts he gave us?

How long will God wait? He’ll wait forever. How long will we wait? Only we can answer that question.

Friends, God loves his children. He has given us our inheritance. Even if we haven’t used it wisely God will forgive us and grant us a reprieve. He will take us back. It will be as if we never left.

Where are you today? Are you running away, running back rehearsing your speech, or griping at how God has forgiven someone else and you’re thinking they don’t’ deserve it? Ask yourself, “How long will God wait for me?”

If you’re at that point where you know where you’re at then why wait. Come to him today and run into his arms. He’s still waiting for you.

God loves you and always will. Thanks be to God. Amen.