Tell me how it ends!

This morning, my pastor spoke on the first commandment. If you’ve forgotten, that’s the one that says “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Phil spoke on the use of the word “You” and how it not only denotes a group application (speaking to you all), but also denotes single, personal application (you). How God was speaking directly to each of His people. He helped tie it in by discussing the relationship between the father and the older son in the parable of The Prodigal Son.

He talked about how the father and the son each had different interpretations of the father/son relationship. From the father’s perspective, it was all about love. His love for his son and his desire to provide for him. But as far as the son was concerned, it was about rules and obligations. He felt that to curry his father’s favor, he had to be the “good son” and follow all the rules.

Now as I write this, I have to confess that I’m not exactly sure how that all ties in with the first commandment. One of the disadvantages about how I serve in the church is that I miss the last 10-15 minutes in the first service. So I can’t tell you how it all ties in. Just that I was struck by the difference in how differently the father and the son each viewed the same relationship.

I’ll leave you with the words to this hymn:

How Deep the Father’s Love For Us
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I knoww that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

-Stuart Townend