Scandalous Grace

Sometimes I think we have a hard enough time understanding grace without adding in this idea of scandalous grace. What does it mean to us in today's world where scandals are an every day occurrence?

The story of the prodigal son was used to highlight the idea of "scandalous grace". Yes the one son takes his inheritance, squanders it and then returns home to the loving and accepting arms of his father, much in the same way that we veer from the path of God and then return when we are down and out. It's a human condition, a human weakness and one that God has taken into account.

As I've written before, Jesus was a bit of a rebel, in his day, and I love that about him. He talked to the Samaritan woman at the well, he touched lepers, he "hung out" with people that didn't follow the "rules" of the day. Why? What does it mean? There are simple answers like those people needing him more, or his example of acceptance of all people or his great ability to find the good in all people, no matter their life circumstances.

It reminds me of something totally not "religious" or even spiritual. It reminds me of ....

"Gypsies, tramps and thieves
We'd hear it from the people of the town
They'd call us, gypsies, tramps and thieves
But every night all the men would come around
And lay their money down"

How or why in the world does it remind me of this ancient Cher song?  Well first of all gypsies, tramps, and thieves are just the sort of sinners Jesus might hang out with. But even more so it reminds me that as humans we have the tendency to see "sinners" and sins in others but seldom in ourselves.  The people of the town in the song would call them gypsies, tramps and thieves but they still came around at night and put their money down. Double standard?

The thing is with Jesus there is no double standard. What you see is what you get. He doesn't place "qualifications" on grace. If you do this then I'll do this. He doesn't say that grace is only for the "people of the town" or just for gypsies, tramps, and thieves for that matter. Rather grace is available for all, without question, without qualifications, and without limit.

 

On the other hand there are some religions (or religious people) that put qualifications on God's love. Oh many times they don't come right out and say it but people "feel" it.

If you are in a church or situation like that ....."get out". Find your own grace through your personal relationship with God.

So many times we feel we are "unworthy" of God's love and grace. All of us (being human) feel this at one time or another. Push through those feelings. Know that God's love and forgiveness is unlimited.

Hugs to you all today and may God's scandalous grace lift your spirits and transform your life!