Search

    Select Website Language
    Stating that parables are simple stories used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson told by Jesus in the gospels, the Rev. Roger Jackson, pastor of Fenimore Street United Methodist Church (FSUMC) in Brooklyn, says that the story of the lost son is an example where “Jesus is drawing our attention to the moral and spiritual failures of both sons, while the father exemplifies the way Godly fathers respond to children who have lost their way.” Preaching on the topic, “What Love Looks Like,” based on Luke 15:11-32, during Father’s Day Worship Service on Sunday, June 21, Pastor Jackson noted that the the son, who left, was "out of order in asking for that which he was not entitled to, while his father was still alive." “And the son that remained harbored bitterness toward his brother because the bother left him holding the proverbial bag of having to have to handle their father’s business alone,” he said. “We see in one son’s actions that moral failures manifest themselves through foolish decisions. And, in the other son, hurtful words are the result of one’s spirit being out of sync with the will and plan of God." “But, while Jesus is showing us in this parable that the boys had failed morally and spiritually, not so when it comes to their father,” he added. “This father is acting and interacting with his boys, as God does with us during our moral or spiritual failures in life.” Rev. Jackson said the father is displaying that which in theological parlance is called “the permissive will of God.”  “Fathers know that children must be given room to fail when they are young, so that they will learn from those failures and make better choices as they mature,” he said. “No matter what our biological age is, or our level of spiritual maturity, sometimes God’s permissive will allow us to make decisions that will not turn out good for us either." “But thank God that bad decisions are not the end of the story for us just as it was not for the family in the parable,” he added, stating that, “after hitting rock bottom, that’s when this son come to his senses and he remembers who his father is, what his father has, and that, at the very least, he knew that his father would give him a job, so that he will not die from hunger. " He said the active will of God replaced the permissive will of God, “in that the son repented for the sin of asking for that which was not rightly his and then wasting it on ungodly living.” Yet, Rev. Jackson said the father embraced him and kissed him “just like our heavenly Father does when we repent.” He said: “Fathers, what love looks like is in the acceptance of apologies of their child or children because they recognize that admitting wrong is the first step toward returning to one’s rightful place in the family.  “And the bible says that the father re-establishes this son’s rightful place in the eyes of his servants,” he said. “Fathers what love looks like is making sure that a child or children who have turned their life around are re-established, fully re-connected and celebrated just as it is in the case with us who, after backsliding God our heavenly Father, does this for us.  “Father’s acts that serve as stabilizing forces between competing tensions in the home is what love looks like,” Pastor Jackson added. “Fathers who seek to celebrate those who have turned their life around and those who never strayed from the plan and purpose for their lives is what love looks likes." “The father who acts justly, loves mercy and walks humbly with our God is what love looks likes to his child or children,” Rev. Jackson affirmed. The Father’s Day service was also punctuated by, among other things, prayers; Scripture readings; and lofty singing by the congregation, Men’s Praise Team, a selection by Bro. Edward Hyde, a member of the Men’s Chorale, and the Gospel Chorus.  Additionally, the Sunday School children gave a special presentation to the fathers. 
    Previous Article
    Caricom preparing earthquake aid package for Venezuela
    Next Article
    Caribbean Music Awards set to return for fourth year

    Related Diaspora Updates:

    Are you sure? You want to delete this comment..! Remove Cancel

    Comments (0)

      Leave a comment