He wants us to come just the way we are and all we are required to do is make up our minds to turn to Him. We do not have to stick to the culture of bringing a gift of perfection along, as we come to Him. You and I do not have to be at our best attitude, behaviour, or…
Being part of the system for a significant number of years, I have learnt from the Western culture, if it’s the first time you’re visiting someone’s home, it’s a very nice gesture to take along a small gift. This doesn’t have to be elegant or posh; only consider the nature of the occasion and local custom when making your choice. In some parts of the United Kingdom, a hostess gift is considered mandatory, while in other places, a gift is brought only on special occasions. If you have a few extra minutes to wrap it, even if you only use tissue or a decorative bag, it makes it more presentable. A bottle of wine, flowers, speciality food items, and small items for the house all make good hostess gifts.
Taking a second and critical look at the parable of the Prodigal Son, I discovered another perspective to the invite which we have been offered by Jesus Christ. He wants us to come just the way we are and all we are required to do is make up our minds to turn to Him. We do not have to stick to the culture of bringing a gift of perfection along as we come to Him. You and I do not have to be at our best attitude, behaviour, or clean or look for some money to buy a gift that will be taken to church. All we need is to get up and decide to go to the father.
So He Got Up
The gospel of St. Luke recorded that the prodigal son got up and took the most important decision of his life; “So he got up and went to his father.” (Luke 15:20). That was the genesis of the absolute transformation for him. The blood the Jesus that was shed on the cross of Calvary has done a complete work of redemption and our physical inputs are not required – not even a gift will add any value to our new position and status in Christ Jesus. Once you take the decision to get up and appear before the Father, He is caring and loving, expecting you 24/7. Joel 2:12-13 states; “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity”.
Make Your Way Back
You might need to prepare a gift as you plan to visit your friend again as the western culture dictates, but coming to Jesus does not require you saving towards buying an expensive gift or a trending kind of food item. But your repentance is the only thing required today to come to Christ. You also do not need to be perfectly presentable to come to Jesus before approaching Him. As the father of the prodigal son saw his son a long way off, the father saw him and was filled with sympathy and he ran towards his son.
You therefore do not need to wait until you are fully cleansed; the Balm of Gilead is here to heal your painful past. While the son was still a long way off – in dirty, stinking and tatty clothes shoes, the father ran and embraced him in love and gave him a second chance. So do not wait until you are 100 per cent clean before you come to Jesus because He himself has the capacity to cleanse you from all your stains, blemishes and past with a capacity to give you a new beginning.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20).
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
