The Extravagant love of God (2) After the warm and hearty welcome, the son had a bath and discovered the clothing waiting for him to wear was the very best robe! This was the exquisite clothing that belonged to the Father, and worn only on festive occasions. We were once like this young man, contaminated by sin and in desperate need of transformation. Our Heavenly Father did not recoil in horror at us; instead He lovingly sweeps us into His arms, kisses us on the cheek and warmly welcomes us home. He then cleanses us and provides His beautiful robe to cover us. Through the atoning death of Jesus on the cross, we become clothed with ‘garments of salvation’ and arrayed in the ‘robe of His righteousness’ (Isaiah 61:10). Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with fig leaves to hide their shame but it didn’t make one ounce of difference. We can try to cover our sin and attempt to be righteous, but at the end of the day even our most holy and noble acts are deemed as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The robe which Jesus Christ Himself has provided for us is the only suitable clothing in The Garden of Pleasure. The great hymn writer, Charles Wesley expressed this free gift of righteousness when he wrote, ‘No condemnation now I dread, Jesus, and all in Him, is mine! Alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in His righteousness divine.’ (From the hymn, An Can it Be?) In an extraordinary gesture, the father then placed the family signet ring on his son’s finger. This ring contained the father’s unique seal. This indicated the son was immediately reinstated into a position of authority. This gave him the right to act in proxy for the father by pressing the insignia on the ring into hot wax and sealing important documents. A ring such as this one is given only on very important occasions and is recognised as a symbol of honour, as expressed when Pharaoh gave Joseph a ring to represent his position as an authority figure in the nation (Genesis 41:38-42). The young man had not done anything to deserve this esteemed position of authority; all he had to do was to come home to the father with a repentant heart. The moment you turn to God with a repentant heart, He immediately showers you with His grace, clothes you with His righteousness, and welcomes you into His family. Straightaway you are reinstated into an esteemed position of honour and authority in the Father’s house. ‘Jesus succeeded in securing all power by going to the cross, dying a horrible death, suffering the penalty for sin and defeating Satan in the pit of hell. He came to earth as a man for one reason: to recapture the authority Satan had stolen through Adam’s disobedience in the Garden. Jesus was called the last Adam (I Corinthians 15:45). After securing that power and authority, He freely gave it over into the hands of those who would believe on Him—you and me.’ - Kenneth Copeland (kcm.org).
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 01:55:00 +0000
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