"The Tripod" (Part 2)

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20-24 NASB).

You may remember yesterday’s reference to the tripod. If not, I hope you’ll refresh your memory a bit by reading it again. It is built with three legs for support. That’s as you would suspect. Three legs give it the maximum versatility and stability no matter what terrain you might place it. As I have thought about that in comparison t the “essentials” we must know in our Christian life, three truths jumped out at me.

Now, before I get to the first one, let me be clear that I do not intend for this series to be a theological treatise of the essentials of the faith, nor do I want it to be a short course in systematic theology. You can find that information in many other places. For the next three days I want to dig in at the point of what three basic truths are absolutely indispensable for you to live the abundant life Jesus intended for you.

Our reading is taken from the larger context of the Parable of the Lost Son. You may have read me reference this parable as better named “The Parable of the Loving Father.” I believe it is much more about the father than the two sons. Be that as it may, here’s the first leg of this spiritual tripod: You must know God as Father. Sound simple doesn’t it? However, I find many more believers who have missed this than not. Perhaps it’s because we have not had as good an example in our earthly father’s as we could have; perhaps it’s because we simply are steeped in the traditions and laws of our religion. Whatever the reason, we cannot miss this principle and know the fullness of God’s love. Our tripod would be unstable!

I’ve so often scoured various sources for an adequate description or illustration of a “good father.” All of them have been inadequate in comparison to this parable. The picture is of a man, heartbroken by the both the fact and manner of his son’s departure, patiently waiting for his son to return. I know that, not as much from a direct line in the parable, but from the inference that he saw him “while he was still a long way off.” That’s not something that happens by coincident. It is purposeful. He was looking that day and every day since his son went away. His reaction is really the key though. Wouldn’t it have been easy for the father to at least chide his son on his poor decision to leave? Wouldn’t it have been natural for him to have uttered an “I told you so” in response to his son’s confession? However, he didn’t! He embraced his son and called for the most extravagant of celebrations! That’s your heavenly Father! He celebrates YOUR presence with Him! Believe it! Let it permeate your very soul! Be transformed by the knowledge of Father!