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| Marc Mullinax |
MARS HILL ó Warning: Iíll be somewhat sermonic in this column. Next week, the ranting resumes. But this column remains dedicated to the proposition that weíve no need to reheat yesterdayís cold soup.
Direct your attention to a revolutionary, radical chapter in the Bible: Luke chapter 15. There are three stories of lost things there ó a sheep, a coin and a son.
Most of the time we hear these stories about these lost items, and think about matters of eternal security. Lost = damned. Lost = depressed. Lost = too bad. And Iím sure we regain some measure of happiness when the owner of the lost items finds them again. We can sympathize.
However, do we read to the conclusion in each lost-story? The
sheep-owner says, ìCelebrate with me! Iíve found my lost sheep!î The
coin owner exclaims, ìCelebrate with me! I found my lost coin!î
The father of the prodigal really gets over-extravagant. We read, ìBut
the father wasnít listening (to his sonís rehearsed speech). He was
calling to the servants, ëQuick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress
him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then
get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. Weíre going to feast! Weíre going
to have a wonderful time! My son is here ó given up for dead and now
alive! Given up for lost and now found!í And they began to have a
wonderful time.î
The father is not interested in his sonís sorry self-concept. ìChill
out, son. Save your flowery speeches for the college application. Come
on in and let me show you a real party!î
If heard correctly, this story is a shocker. I mean, didnít Jesus come
in order to ratchet up ethical standards, put more fiber in our moral
muscles? Did not Jesus want to end the shenanigans of the
neíer-do-wells and party animals? A party is the last thing we expect.
We want the father to be gracious, yes, but not fawning!
Homecomings are fine for prodigals, but when you kill the fatted calf
and put a ring on their fingers upon their return, are you not just
rewarding prodigal, party-hearty behavior? Donít we want the prodigal
to be dressed in sackcloth and ashes? Is not our question like that of
the prodigalís older brother, ìIs it fitting to throw a party for this
... this bozo!?î
What we want is, ìYes, glad that youíre back home. Now letís get rid of
that earring and the tattoo and letís have bit more responsibility out
of you. Go in, have a good, balanced meal, and then letís strategize
about finishing your college application.î
We want, or hope, Jesus to say, ìIím going to redeem these loose women,
horny men and the party animals! Make ëem straighten up, carry more
responsibility, shoulder their share of the burden, make ëem middle
class, drive SUVs and act respectable.î
No, these stories are intentionally about a God who likes to party
extravagantly, who seems to ìget downî for the slightest of reasons.
More verses ìget wastedî on the description of the party than on any
other single aspect of the last story.
The party is the end of the story, and it just wonít be the same
without everyone there, and everyoneís invited. The drunks, the
Muslims, the Christians, the person you had road rage with yesterday,
and all the other jerks and angels of the world.
And you. I do not know if your life-path has been a sad or a happy
sojourn. But I do know we do not journey alone. Someone who has named
and claimed you waits with champagne in hand. Iím betting that sooner
or later, hopefully sooner, youíll hear the music and wonder if that
party is meant for you. It is.
ï
Dr. Marc S. Mullinax, chairman of the philosophy and religion
departments at Mars Hill College, can be reached at mmullinax-at-mhc.edu.
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