In yesterday’s message I ended with the imagery of Rembrandt’s painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son”. I have been profoundly moved by works of art several times in my life, and this is one of the monumental works for me. I have been blessed to stand before the original in The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is a picture full of the emotion of Luke 15, and I can picture myself in each of the characters.
The son – I have been the one running
The brother – I have been angry at the grace of Christ
The onlooker – Watching with awe at the love of a father
The father – Embracing someone who has been in need of unearned love
I should have allowed you time to take in this work of art with me yesterday as we challenge each other to be “Walk Across the Room” people.