The (dis)graceful road to reconciliation

In Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, Jesus tells a story that is disgraceful. The story of the “prodigal son” is no way to run a household or parent children. In the context in which Jesus told the story it was shocking. Both the son and the father are painted as foolish and weak. Pastor Phil Kniss pointed out that the father put his emotional energy into grieving the loss of relationship with his son. His response when the son returns seems to have no connection to justice. But Pastor Phil suggested that God’s justice seems best served in relationship, and grace is required to bring that justice. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 states that God has entrusted this grace-filled ministry of reconciliation to us, a ministry where justice is worked out in the context of a relationship filled with grace.