1. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. The message from God’s Word on this 4th Sunday in Lent is taken from Luke 15:1-3, and 11-32, it’s entitled, Forgiveness on God’s Terms,” dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. While planning a mini vacation to Door County, WI last summer, I booked a hotel room online. As I clicked the button to move to the last page of the reservation information, I was stuck. An error message told me I hadn’t completed all the information. It took me a while finally to figure out that I hadn’t checked the box marked, “guarantee policy and agree to its terms.” Often these terms are a challenge for even the best lawyer to understand. Most of the time we don’t read them, hoping and praying there are no major hidden issues. When it comes to our salvation, we can’t do that. The terms do matter! Therefore, we thank God our Father that He forgives us on His terms, not ours.
3. Father and children separated and restored—what glorious Good News! Our Introit for today, from Psalm 51, records David’s prayer for reconciliation to God his Heavenly Father after being confronted by Nathan the prophet. In the Collect, we acknowledge that God receives us as his children “though we deserve only punishment” because his “mercies are new every morning.” The Old Testament Reading, too, sings thanksgiving that God’s righteous anger with us is now turned away. And, in our Epistle from 2 Cor. 5:16-21, St. Paul declares us to be new creations, as Christ has reconciled us to God the Father.
4. Forgiveness on our terms doesn’t work. The younger son in Jesus’ parable (the prodigal son) wanted forgiveness his way. He sinned before God and his father. By requesting his inheritance he, in effect, asked for his father’s death (v 12). He wanted to run his own life without any restrictions, making himself his god. He squandered all he had in reckless living (v 13). Then he attempted to solve his problems, only making his life worse (vv 15–16; cf. Lev 11:7–8). Finally, he acknowledged his sin: “When he came to himself” (Luke 15:17).
5. But he drew up his own terms of forgiveness. Luke 15:17-19 says, “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ He planned to confess his sin before his father (Luke 15:18)—a good thing! He felt that he was no longer worthy to be called a son (Luke 15:19)—also right. But he would work as a hired servant—earn his keep to have enough to eat (Luke 15:17).
6. We too want forgiveness on our own terms. We have sinned before God, our friends and family, and ourselves. As Christians, we feel we deserve God’s goodness simply because we are his children. We act like the older son in the parable. Luke 15:29 says, “but [the older son] answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.” We want to live our life on our own terms without God’s restrictions (Law) and thereby break all his Commandments. We squander the time, talents, and abilities with which God has blessed us. We often make our situation worse by doing good only to earn God’s favor.
7. God’s Law does its work, showing us our sin and a need for a Savior. Ps 51:3–5 says, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” But we draw up our own terms of forgiveness. While we plan out our confession, we choose the time, place, even the words. We decide that as a result of our sin, we should no longer be called a “son,” with an heir’s right to Christ’s inheritance. So, we ask God to watch as we work out our penance, proving to him that we are truly sorry for our sin. When we work out forgiveness on our terms, how often do we end up frustrated or even despairing? Forgiveness on our terms doesn’t work. But God shows us a better way.
8. God the Father forgives us on his terms. The father in the parable takes the initiative. He goes out to meet his younger son “while he was still a long way off” (Luke 15:20). He doesn’t scold or punish his son but embraces and kisses him before he can begin his confession (Luke 15:20). He shows his love and compassion for his younger son by restoring him to the family as a rightful heir. He authorizes gifts for his returning son, culminating in a banquet (Luke 15:22–24).
9. The father also goes out to meet his older son with love. He explains that he is still the rightful heir of the family (Luke 15:31). It is fitting to celebrate his brother’s return for he “was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:32). Our heavenly Father takes the initiative to forgive us on his terms. Despite our sin, which is great, he continues to love us, seeking us out and dealing with us on his terms of love and mercy. He showed that love by taking our sin and placing it upon his Son, the perfect Lamb of God, who paid the punishment for that sin on Calvary’s cross. His Son did not stay dead but rose to life again, proving that his Father had accepted the sacrifice for sin. 1 Cor 15:17, 20 says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” During times of doubt, he reassures us that we are still his heirs with our names written in his Book of Life. Titus 3:7 says, “so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” He promises an eternal banquet celebration for all who believe his promises and join him in heaven (Rev 19:9).
10. When we squander everything, our heavenly Father is there with a word of assurance. Matthew 6:33 Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” When sickness or death comes, our Savior is there with a word of comfort. Jesus says in John 11:25–26, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” When we return to our Lord with repentant hearts, our heavenly Father is there, waiting with arms spread wide in a welcoming embrace. He deals with us according to his terms. Amen. Now the peace of God that passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus until life everlasting. Amen.
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