by George Jarvis, Airedale Church

MANY people, especially those who do not profess to be practising Christians, have strong opinions as to what a Christian is.

But to really understand the significance of what it is to be a Christian, then the only opinion that really counts is that of Jesus Christ.

Jesus would often explain his mission by telling a story.

On one occasion he told such a story about a fairly wealthy man who had two sons. The younger son one day came to his father and effectively said to him, “Father, I wish you were dead. Can I have my inheritance now and go my own way.” With great sadness the father granted the son his request. The lad, now with plenty of money, went away and for a time had a great life of partying and attracting lots of friends. But then came the day when the money ran out, and so did the friends. This young man was then really at rock bottom. He got a poorly paid job looking after pigs, but was so hungry that he wanted to even eat the pig swill! Then the lad came to his senses. He told himself that while he was there starving, his father’s servants were comfortable and well fed. So he decided to go to his father and ask if he could be one of his servants.

This wastrel of a man got up and made the long journey back to father. Meanwhile, every day his son was gone, the father looked down the road hoping his son would return. Then came the day when father spotted coming along the road in the far distance the distinct figure of his son – and he ran out to welcome and embrace his son who had gone astray. The son tried to say he was sorry and just wanted to be a servant but father would have none of it. “You are my son”, he said. “You’ve now come back to life to me. We’re going to have the biggest party ever!"

The father overwhelmed his once-lost son with great love. There were no recriminations, no post mortems, no new house rules – just unconditional, even undeserved love!

In this story Jesus revealed the heart of the Christian faith. It is about a heavenly Father who unconditionally loves every person on earth. He wants everyone to enter into his loving embrace, to be loved and to learn how to love.